Lithuania’s Social Democrats break coalition, invite Democrats to form new government

Coalition talks in Lithuania are set to begin after the Social Democratic Party (LSDP) formally ended its partnership with the Agrarian-led Nemuno aušra and invited the Democratic Union Vardan Lietuvos to form a new government, LRT.lt reports.

LSDP leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced the decision following a party council meeting on Saturday, but key questions—including ministerial appointments and the future of Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė—remain unresolved.

Sinkevičius did not rule out becoming prime minister himself, while sources suggest Ruginienė may be offered the position of Seimas speaker. Political analysts and coalition partners have openly doubted she will retain her current role.

The Democrats, led temporarily by Virginijus Sinkevičius, have signaled willingness to join the government but have not yet disclosed their demands. Sinkevičius, currently an EU commissioner, has been floated as a potential foreign minister, though he has not confirmed whether he would leave his Brussels post. If he does, his European Parliament seat could pass to former Democratic leader Saulius Skvernelis, who currently faces legal scrutiny in Lithuania but would regain immunity as an MEP.

Both parties have indicated that demographic and national security issues will be priorities in coalition negotiations. However, LSDP deputy chair Orinta Leiputė stressed that no specific posts have been discussed yet, as formal talks have not begun.

The outgoing coalition’s agriculture and environment ministers, appointed by Nemuno aušra, are expected to leave the cabinet, though it is unclear which ministries the new partners will claim.