Kaunas mayor criticises government and ruling coalition for lack of cooperation

Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis has sharply criticised Lithuania’s government and ruling coalition, stating that he has “practically no working relationship” with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, LRT reports.

“There is practically no relationship with the prime minister. I’ve exchanged greetings with her a few times at events, and that’s it,” Matijošaitis told news outlet Delfi, adding that the municipality has long relied on its own resources and city budget funding.

The mayor also directed criticism at the ruling Social Democratic Party (LSDP), accusing its members of changing too frequently to establish meaningful cooperation. He described the quality of parliamentary work as “constantly declining,” stating: “It’s not just falling—it’s plummeting downward, and there’s hardly anyone left to talk to.”

Matijošaitis claimed that current politicians spend much of their term making promises and preparing for the next election rather than governing effectively.

His remarks follow a weekend decision by the LSDP council to restructure the ruling coalition, removing the “Nemuno aušra” faction and initiating consultations with the Democratic Union “For Lithuania.” Coalition negotiations are underway, with party leaders meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. Further talks between the three potential coalition partners are scheduled for Thursday.

Unofficial reports suggest possible cabinet changes, including the replacement of Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius, and Culture Minister Vaida Aleknavičienė. Speculation had also arisen about Prime Minister Ruginienė potentially moving to the role of Seimas Speaker, currently held by Juozas Olekas, though Social Democratic leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius has indicated Olekas would remain in his post.

The current ruling coalition holds 80 seats in the 141-member Seimas. A new coalition would command a slightly smaller majority of 75 seats.