Lithuanian party leaders to meet in Brussels ahead of coalition talks

Leaders of Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) will meet in Brussels on Monday ahead of formal coalition negotiations, LRT reports.

Virginijus Sinkevičius, chair of the Democratic Union, confirmed the meeting to Lietuvos rytas television, describing it as an informal discussion rather than a negotiating session. “We’ll have the chance to share a coffee as a trio,” he said, adding that the goal is to align on common priorities and exchange expectations.

The Social Democrats, having voted last weekend to exclude the conservative “Nemuno aušra” from the coalition, now aim to form a government with the Democrats and the LVŽS faction in the Seimas. Current parliamentary arithmetic shows the outgoing coalition of Social Democrats, “Nemuno aušra,” and LVŽS holds 80 seats, while a new alliance of Social Democrats, Democrats, and LVŽS would command 75 votes.