Lukas Savickas says it would be difficult to accept a proposal limited to two ministries

Lukas Savickas, the elder of the Democratic Party’s “For Lithuania” faction, has stated that it would be difficult for the political force to accept a proposal to lead only two ministries, LRT reports.

During ongoing negotiations over a new coalition government, Savickas told journalists: “I think that today, if the proposal were limited to two ministries and a very limited or not comprehensive government reshuffle, it would be very difficult to find approval.”

Earlier, Social Democrat Rasa Budbergytė said that the Democrats could expect two ministerial positions. With “Nemuno Aušra” withdrawing from the coalition, the positions of the heads of the Environment and Agriculture ministries, previously held by their delegates, are now open. Budbergytė noted that this does not necessarily mean the Democrats would take over these specific portfolios.

According to Savickas, the current realistic subjects of discussion are the ministries of Energy, Environment, Agriculture, and Foreign Affairs. He added that the party would consider a proposal for its acting leader Virginijus Sinkevičius to take the position of Foreign Minister.

“If there were a proposal for Virginijus to be the fourth minister in foreign affairs, I think that could be a really viable option to consider,” Savickas said.

The Social Democrats decided to change the composition of the ruling majority last weekend, replacing “Nemuno Aušra” with the Democrats. Discussions about reviewing the coalition were prompted by “Nemuno Aušra” representatives’ vote against the establishment of the Kapčiamiestis polygon, criticism from the party’s leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis towards ministers and coalition decisions, and other controversial statements. Additionally, Žemaitaitis was convicted in the first instance for antisemitism.

The current coalition has 80 representatives in parliament. A coalition of Social Democrats, Democrats, and the Farmers and Greens Union would have 75 votes. After the 2024 Seimas elections, the Social Democrats formed the ruling coalition with “Nemuno Aušra” and the Democrats, but last autumn, they reshuffled the majority, inviting the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens, and Christian Families Union parliamentary faction to join instead of the Democrats.