Lithuania’s ruling Social Democrats gather in Jonava as Cesiulis withdraws from leadership race

The governing Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) opened its 130th congress in Jonava on Friday, where delegates will elect a new party leader—with Jonava district mayor Mindaugas Sinkevičius now the sole candidate after Alytus mayor Nerijus Cesiulis withdrew from the race.

Speaking to reporters in Jonava, Cesiulis confirmed he would not stand for the leadership, stating his local party branch had not nominated him. “No, I definitely won’t participate, because our branch didn’t put me forward—not even informally,” he said, adding that leadership contests in the LSDP “are won long before election day.” He wished Sinkevičius success in the vote.

The congress will also address the party’s troubled coalition with the “Nemunas Dawn” party, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis. Sinkevičius told journalists that the LSDP’s governing council would meet again in late May to make a “final, qualified decision” on whether to continue the partnership. “My goal is to resolve the coalition question definitively by the end of May, one way or another,” he said.

Criticism of the alliance has grown within LSDP ranks, particularly after some faction members voted against the government’s Kapčiamestis firing range project. Cesiulis, a vocal opponent of the coalition, previously called Žemaitaitis “not our path,” accusing him of undermining both the nation and the party. “I can’t even look at a man who calls himself the ‘male head’—he humiliates himself, the people, and our party,” Cesiulis said.

Beyond leadership elections, delegates will vote on deputy chairs, proposed changes to the party statute, and a resolution on improving Lithuania’s demographic situation.