Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) leaders have criticised what they describe as pressure tactics from their coalition partners, the Democrats "For Lithuania" party, after a statement that the latter would quit the coalition if Gintautas Paluckas remained Prime Minister.
According to the Social Democrats, such ultimatums are unacceptable and risk fracturing the ruling alliance.
LSDP comments
"Without waiting for the two weeks given to Paluckas to respond to questions and decide on his political future, or for the conclusions of ongoing investigations, Saulius Skvernelis is already applying pressure for him to step aside," said Seimas Deputy Speaker and LSDP deputy chair Rasa Budbergytė.
“That patience is not infinite,” she added.
She and other senior Social Democrats argued that any sensitive issues should first be discussed within the coalition framework, rather than played out in public.
Another LSDP vice-chair, Mayor of Alytus Nerijus Cesiulis, told BNS that persistent dissatisfaction from one partner could eventually lead to a parting of ways.
"There’s a time for partnership, and a time for separation," he said.
"Seeing how these ultimatums are becoming routine, I’d personally say 'thank you', collect the portfolios from all our ministers, and I’m confident we could form a new coalition. There are certainly others willing to serve."
According to Rasa Budbergytė, Democratic leader Saulius Skvernelis is leveraging the situation for political gain.
“He’s trying to put pressure on the Social Democrats to benefit his party, not only in PR terms but also to flex political muscle and demonstrate that, despite having a small faction in the ruling coalition, he can impose terms – including on the Prime Minister’s future,” she argued.
Robert Duchnevič, a member of the LSDP executive board and mayor of Vilnius District, suggested that the Democrats had launched a coordinated offensive against Social Democrat ministers.
He pointed to sharp criticism from Democrat MP and chair of the Seimas National Security and Defence Committee, Giedrimas Jeglinskas, who accused Defence Minister Dovile Šakalienė of lacking a grasp of military affairs and claimed trust in her was waning.
“Our party has a century-old tradition. Such insinuations won’t intimidate us,” Duchnevič told BNS. “This seems like a calculated move for personal political gain. If coalition stability is in question, I doubt we would suffer greatly from their departure.”
The governing coalition currently comprises the LSDP with 52 MPs, the Nemuno Aušra group with 19, and the Democrats "For Lithuania" with 15.
Visiting the President
As reported by BNS, on Wednesday Saulius Skvernelis, the leader of the Democrats "For Lithuania", announced his party would withdraw from the coalition if Gintautas Paluckas remained Prime Minister.
LRT also reported that following the statement, Saulius Skvernelis visited the Presidential Palace on Wednesday and met with President Gitanas Nausėda.
Last week, the board of the Democrats concluded that the government was facing a crisis and that the Prime Minister was struggling to fulfil his duties as public scrutiny mounts over his past and business dealings. As a result, the party is seeking to raise the issue at a meeting of the coalition council.
Skvernelis said he would formally announce the Democrats' withdrawal from the coalition should the upcoming council meeting confirm that the current situation remains unchanged and that Paluckas will stay on.
“When the coalition council meets, if it confirms that everything is fine and the status quo remains, then, in line with the coalition agreement, we will submit our decision – as agreed – with 30 days' notice. The 30-day countdown would begin, and we would part ways in a civilised manner,” said the Democrats’ leader.
Skvernelis also acknowledged having held private discussions with Paluckas.
“I really don’t want to disclose the details of our conversations, but it seems to me that no matter how things stand, sometimes in politics – unfortunately – so many things come together that one has to make a decision one way or another,” he said.
He reiterated that if a new Prime Minister were appointed and a fresh coalition agreement negotiated, the Democrats would be reluctant to join a government alongside nationalist right-wing Nemuno Aušra once again.
Nemuno Aušra perspective
For his part, the leader of Nemuno Aušra Remigijus Žemaitaitis said on Wednesday that he sees no reason to leave the governing coalition, arguing the government is functioning effectively and that Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas simply needs to answer questions regarding his business ties without dwelling on the past.
Žemaitaitis said that the Democrats appear to be seeking a way out of the ruling majority.
“[Democrats] 'For Lithuania' may no longer want to work for Lithuania, but rather sit in opposition – that’s their decision,” he said.
According to Žemaitaitis, while Paluckas has not yet answered all questions raised by the media and public regarding his business interests and past, that does not hinder the government’s ability to function.
“Is the government functioning effectively? Yes. Are ministries operating efficiently? Yes,” the Nemuno Aušra leader stated.
'Do not rush into anything' – LSDP elder
Meanwhile, Remigijus Motuzas, the elder of the Social Democratic political group in the Seimas, urges politicians not to rush things.
“I believe it would be somewhat unethical for us, as politicians, to rush into anything today,” Motuzas told reporters at the Seimas. “We are not only accountable to ourselves – we bear responsibility for the Lithuanian state and its people. Lithuania undoubtedly seeks stability in all respects.”
According to the MP, ensuring stability requires minimising public talk of a coalition crisis. He noted that the Social Democrats, as the largest parliamentary group, bear particular responsibility for the future of the governing majority.
“The Social Democratic Party is certainly treating the situation with the seriousness it warrants, and, when the time comes, appropriate decisions will be taken. I believe that today we must act with greater seriousness, prioritise stability, and perhaps refrain from making declarations about who should or shouldn’t remain in the coalition,” said Motuzas, urging for less wishful thinking in politics.
The pressure on Mr Paluckas intensified last week after Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda gave the Prime Minister two weeks to either publicly address concerns about his past business activities and alleged ethical breaches, or consider resigning.
The President also called on Paluckas to test his support in parliament through a vote of confidence.
Updated: edited headline, included comments from the Social Democratic party's leaders and elder as well as the Nemuno Aušra party leader.
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