Social democrats approve new coalition agreement, clarity expected after Joninės

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) council has approved a coalition agreement drafted by negotiators from three political parties, LSDP leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius confirmed on Tuesday, as reported by LRT.

“The summary is that when voting on the presented document as the result of the work of the three negotiating groups, the three negotiating sides, the potential coalition members, it was unanimously approved,” Sinkevičius said after the council meeting.

He noted that around 170 council members participated in the discussion, with only nine abstaining. “This means an absolute majority supported it, which in a way unties our hands to finalise the process and possibly sign the agreement with coalition partners this week,” he added.

The coalition agreement is expected to be signed this week by LSDP, the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” and the Homeland Union. Such a coalition would hold 75 seats in the Seimas (parliament).

Sinkevičius, who intends to become prime minister, expects clarity on the composition of the new government’s ministers after the Joninės (Midsummer) holiday. He stated that he will present a final list of candidates to the party’s presidency once discussions with potential appointees are complete, as some may prefer to return to the Seimas or pursue other career paths.

“I would like, perhaps I am being too ambitious, but I think that after Joninės, by the end of that week or the beginning of the next, I would like to have some kind of answer, as we will need to informally or formally discuss this with the president. I think the president would also like to know not only after the official submission but in advance,” he said.

Virginijus Sinkevičius, leader of the Democratic Union “For Lithuania,” confirmed that his party has identified potential candidates for the Agriculture, Energy, and Health ministries allocated to them in the new government. However, he did not disclose specific names, stating they would be announced once coordinated with Mindaugas Sinkevičius and the president.

Earlier in June, the social democrats decided to remove “Nemuno aušra” from the ruling majority and invited the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” to join the coalition instead.