Social Democrats withdraw Baranovas’ candidacy amid criticism

The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has withdrawn Ruslanas Baranovas’ candidacy in the early parliamentary elections for the Nalšia North constituency, LRT reports.

The party informed the Central Electoral Commission on Thursday of its decision to replace Baranovas, who had faced significant public backlash and criticism from legal experts. The commission was notified that LSDP intends to nominate another candidate by July 13.

According to lrytas.lt, former Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius is expected to replace Baranovas.

The controversy arose after LSDP announced Baranovas’ candidacy, sparking widespread outrage. Seimo members, legal experts, and former Constitutional Court judge Egidijus Kūris condemned the move, with Kūris stating, “The Constitution was not written for tricksters,” in reference to the party’s decision.

Baranovas, currently a Seimo member elected in 2024 via the LSDP list, had argued that his existing mandate did not prevent him from representing Nalšia North. In the 2024 elections, Baranovas ran in the Vilnius South constituency, finishing third with 12.72% of the vote and failing to advance to the second round. LSDP’s candidate in Nalšia North at the time, Nikolajus Gusevas, also placed third with 12.73%.

The early elections in Nalšia North, scheduled for November 8, follow the unexpected death of MP Jevgenijus Šuklinas in May.