The European People’s Party (EPP) and the Renew Europe groups have called for the exclusion of the controversial Nemunas Dawn party from the ruling coalition in Lithuania.
“We urge the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania and the party Union of Democrats ‘For Lithuania’ to immediately reject the party ‘Dawn of Nemunas’ from the newly formed coalition. Granting legitimacy to the party led by openly anti-Semitic leader R. Žemaitaitis, who violated the Constitution and faces criminal charges for his anti-Semitic statements, undermines Lithuania’s democratic principles and commitment to inclusivity,” reads the statement signed by the two groups’ leaders Manfred Weber and Valerie Hayer.
The latter later posted on X that “the resurgence of hate speech against Jewish communities across Europe cannot be suffered”.
The EPP group includes Lithuanian MEPs Rasa Juknevičienė, Paulius Saudargas and Lithuania’s new European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius. Meanwhile, Petras Auštrevičius of the Liberal Movement and Dainius Žalimas of the Freedom Party are members of the Renew Europe group.
The ruling coalition in Lithuania consists of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Democrats ‘For Lithuania’ and the Nemunas Dawn party. The three share 86 delegates in the 141-seat Seimas.
Žemaitaitis has been criticised for his online statements that criticise Israel, but also suggest that Jews were responsible for some of the Soviet crimes in Lithuania.
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Last year, the Constitutional Court ruled that he broke the Constitution, prompting his resignation from the parliament. Žemaitaitis is also investigated for hate speech by prosecutors.
The politician rejects accusations of anti-Semitism, insisting his statements were criticising Israel. Last month, he sent a letter to the ambassadors of NATO and EU member states, as well as Israel, in an effort to reassure them that he does not hold anti-Semitic views.
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