Lithuania’s Social Democrats signed a coalition government deal on Monday with the populist Dawn of Nemunas and the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, along with their controversial allies, replacing the Democrats “For Lithuania” party.
The Farmers and Greens enter the new government alongside their troublesome partners, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania–Christian Families Alliance led by Waldemar Tomaszewski — a longtime critic of the government’s stance on Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine and the country’s ban on Russian TV channels. Along for the ride are two unaffiliated MPs: Ignas Vėgėlė, a vocal opponent of Covid vaccinations, and Rimas Jonas Jankūnas.
Under the coalition agreement the Social Democrats, the biggest party in the country’s Seimas parliament, will keep nine ministries: finance, defense, culture, social security, transport, health, education and sport, foreign affairs and interior. Dawn of Nemunas will lead three: environment, agriculture and energy. The Farmers and Greens, along with their allies, will get economy and justice.
Social Democrat Juozas Olekas will be the new speaker of the Seimas, replacing Saulius Skvernelis from the Democrats “For Lithuania.”
Together the three groups in the proposed new government hold 82 of the 141 seats in the Seimas.
The previous coalition fell apart after the Democrats announced they wouldn’t continue in government with Dawn of Nemunas. The latter party is led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who has been barred from handling classified information and was found guilty of antisemitic statements. The Social Democrats in turn ditched the Democrats, their former allies.
The government reshuffle follows the July 31 resignation of Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas amid allegations of shady financial dealings. His Social Democrats put forward political newcomer and trade union veteran Inga Ruginienė to replace him.
President Gitanas Nausėda has backed the nomination, with a parliamentary vote set for Aug. 26. If confirmed, Ruginienė will have 15 days to unveil her Cabinet — approved by the president — and submit the government’s program to the parliament.
That same day, Vilnius will host a protest against the new coalition, with a permit issued for up to 10,000 participants.
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