Conservative party tensions rise as senior member calls for unity over internal criticism

A senior member of Lithuania’s Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) has urged party colleagues to avoid public infighting after MP Matas Maldeikis openly criticised the leadership, *LRT.lt* reports.

Audronius Ažubalis, a member of the party’s presidium, suggested that such public dissent weakens the conservatives, recalling past practices where “troublemakers” were simply expelled. His remarks follow the party’s Oversight Committee reviewing Maldeikis’s criticism of leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas, which included doubts over the party’s strategic direction.

The committee recommended resolving such disputes internally, but Maldeikis defended his stance, arguing that open debate strengthens rather than undermines the party. Ažubalis, however, dismissed the criticism as inappropriate for a party member, stating that such questions should come from “journalists, political scientists, or opponents.”

He acknowledged past electoral setbacks—including losing most mayoral races in 2023—but claimed the party is now regaining public trust under Kasčiūnas’s leadership. “People are drawn to clear, unambiguous right-wing politics,” Ažubalis said, adding that the party must distance itself from “noise-makers.”

Maldeikis has yet to respond to the latest comments.