Coalition talks near conclusion but prime minister’s role remains uncertain

Negotiations to form a new governing coalition in Lithuania are in their final stages, but the question of who will serve as prime minister remains unresolved, LRT.lt reports.

After the Social Democratic Party decided to remove the “Nemuno aušra” faction from the ruling majority, it invited the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union to join a new coalition under the leadership of Mindaugas Sinkevičius.

The current ruling majority, formed after the 2024 parliamentary elections, has faced internal disagreements. If the new coalition is finalised, it will be the third governing majority and government in a year and a half.

Lukas Savickas, a senior member of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” stated that coalition partners are currently focusing on drafting the content of the coalition agreement rather than discussing ministerial positions. He confirmed that the document is expected to be completed by the end of the day.

“Today we are not deciding these issues; we need to finalise the content of the coalition agreement,” Savickas said, adding that the Democrats have requested three ministries but have not specified which ones. He emphasised that the Social Democrats must decide on the prime minister, calling it “a truly essential condition.”

Aušrinė Norkienė of the Farmers and Greens Union stated that her party will retain the ministries it currently oversees and does not consider the prime minister’s role a critical issue. “We respect the Social Democrats’ decision and believe they will have time to choose the best candidate,” she said.

The Democrats have previously expressed a desire to restructure the government, implying a change in the prime minister’s position, potentially to Social Democratic leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius. They have also requested control over four ministries, though coalition partners have countered with an offer of three.

If formed, the new coalition would hold 75 seats in the Seimas, slightly fewer than the current majority’s 80.