Political parties in Lithuania signed a coalition agreement on Thursday, with the Social Democrats, the Democrats “For Lithuania” and the Farmers and Greens Union, along with partners, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance, striking a new deal.
“Third time’s the charm,” Mindaugas Sinkevičius said in a press briefing on Thursday.
The coalition deal is focused on defence and social security. The partners committed to allocating no less than 5% of GDP to defence, prioritising air threat detection and defence systems and strengthening cybersecurity.
The agreement also includes a commitment to resolve internal disputes privately rather than publicly.
It also sets out an aim to “normalise diplomatic relations with China” to the level maintained by other European Union countries.
“Poland, Germany, all countries have [diplomatic relations with China], except us,” Sinkevičius said during a press conference.
“Sometimes we are unique, [but] we come back to the idea that maybe we shouldn’t stand out and shouldn’t be unique.”
Cabinet carve-up under way
The new coalition holds 75 of the 141 seats in parliament, forming a slim majority. “It won’t be easy…this will not be a stroll in the park,” the Democrats “For Lithuania” interim leader, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said, adding that they need to ensure stability.
Ministerial portfolios are expected to be announced next week. Until then, the current cabinet led by Inga Ruginienė will continue in office, Sinkevičius said. He also confirmed on Tuesday that he is ready to lead the new government.
The Social Democrats, the biggest party in the country’s Seimas parliament, will keep nine ministries: environment, finance, defense, culture, social security, transport, education and sport, foreign affairs and interior. Democrats “For Lithuania” will lead three: health, agriculture and energy. The Farmers and Greens, along with their allies, will lead economy and justice.
It remains unclear what role Ruginienė will take in the new political setup. Sinkevičius said she would remain “an important member of the team.”
Social Democrat Juozas Olekas is expected to remain Speaker of the Seimas.
Two coalition partners’ leaders, V. Sinkevičius and Farmers and Greens Union leader Aurelijus Veryga, are currently members of the European Parliament. Asked whether this could complicate their work, M. Sinkevičius said he believes it will not affect the coalition’s functioning.
Populist Dawn of Nemunas kicked out
The coalition reshuffle happens after the Social Democrats kicked out the populist Dawn of Nemunas from the ruling coalition, with the Democrats “For Lithuania” agreeing to return.
The decision was made as “the party leader may even be becoming more radical,” Sinkevičius said. “We believe that what society needs today is stability, a clear direction, decision-making, and not political noise.”
In 2024, the Social Democrats formed a ruling coalition with the Dawn of Nemunas and the Democrats “For Lithuania” party. The Democrats “For Lithuania” party, at the end of August last year, stated that they wouldn’t continue in government with Dawn of Nemunas, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who has been barred from handling classified information and was found guilty of antisemitic statements.
But back then, instead of kicking out Dawn of Nemunas, whose leader Žemaitaitis has been barred from handling classified information and was found guilty of antisemitic statements, social democrats ditched democrats. Democrats were replaced with the Farmers and Greens Union alongside their troublesome partners, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania–Christian Families Alliance led by Waldemar Tomaszewski.