Lithuania’s ruling Social Democratic Party (LSDP) expects to sign a new coalition agreement next week, regardless of which parties join the majority, First Deputy Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas said Wednesday.
Olekas made the remarks after meeting with representatives of the opposition Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS). The Social Democrats are weighing cooperation with their current partners – the Nemunas Dawn party and the Democrats “For Lithuania” – and plan to decide on the coalition makeup at a party council meeting Sunday.
Olekas said the timing also depends on President Gitanas Nausėda’s decree nominating Inga Ruginienė as prime minister and submitting it to the Seimas, parliament, for approval.
“If we receive the presidential decree today, tomorrow or Monday, then an extraordinary session should take place and we should have an agreement with an appendix by that time,” he told reporters.
The LVŽS was invited for talks as the Democrats “For Lithuania” have yet to confirm whether they would remain in the bloc alongside Nemunas Dawn.
LSDP Deputy Chairman Robertas Kaunas accused Democrats leader Saulius Skvernelis of seeking to cause disruption, though Olekas said cooperation with Skvernelis had produced significant results, including tax reform, pension system changes, the creation of the Road Fund, defence strengthening, and support for young families.
Olekas said the meeting with the LVŽS suggested the future majority “could be strong” and did not rule out that the Social Democrats might seek the Seimas speaker’s post, currently held by Skvernelis.
The coalition talks follow the resignation last week of Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas.
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