Lithuanian speaker expects quick coalition talks with Democrats

Lithuania’s parliamentary speaker Juozas Olekas has expressed optimism that coalition negotiations with the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” will conclude swiftly, state broadcaster LRT reports.

Speaking to Žinių Radijas on Tuesday, Olekas acknowledged that talks are “always complex” but noted that preliminary discussions had already taken place. “I hope an agreement will be reached quite quickly,” he said, estimating the process could take about a week.

“I think everything will be agreed next week. Then it will depend on how smoothly we secure the president’s support and approve the government programme,” Olekas said. He suggested the coalition could be finalised by early July, though some deliberations might extend through the month.

The speaker dismissed speculation that Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the ousted “Nemuno Aušra” party, could become his deputy, stating that the speaker alone proposes deputy candidates. Žemaitaitis was removed from the ruling coalition last week following his party’s opposition to a military training ground project and his controversial statements, including an antisemitism conviction.

If confirmed, the new coalition—comprising the Social Democrats, Democrats, and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union—would hold 75 seats in the 141-seat parliament, down from the current 80-seat majority. The Social Democrats had previously governed with “Nemuno Aušra” and the Democrats before replacing the latter with the Farmers and Greens in late 2024.