Lithuanian National Museum of Art director Arūnas Gelūnas on Friday condemned as antisemitic comments made about him by Nemunas Dawn leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who speculated on Gelūnas’ alleged Jewish heritage and accused him of plotting a “state coup”.
In a Facebook post, Žemaitaitis mocked the museum head’s surname and referred to him as a “member of a convicted party and organiser of coups,” reacting to reports that Gelūnas had suspended his membership in the opposition Liberal Movement party amid nationwide protests by cultural workers.
“What a surprise to the court elites that party-man Aaron Gelbach or Gelon temporarily, until he carries out a state coup, suspended his membership in the Liberal Movement,” Žemaitaitis posted on Facebook.
Gelūnas, himself a former culture minister, has been one of the leaders of the protests that seek to remove Žemaitaitis’ party from leading the Culture Ministry.
“This is open antisemitism and cannot go unnoticed, especially knowing that this person has already violated the Constitution,” Gelūnas told BNS. He added that such rhetoric should draw the attention of law-enforcement authorities.
“I am often ashamed of that part of Lithuanians who think such speech can unite people,” Gelūnas said. “Sometimes I wish I had been born Jewish.”
He denied claims about his ancestry, saying, “I have no confirmation that anyone in my family belonged to another nationality”.
The dispute unfolded against the backdrop of mass demonstrations by Lithuania’s cultural community over the government’s decision to hand the Culture Ministry portfolio to Nemunas Dawn.
Žemaitaitis is currently on trial for antisemitic hate speech and Holocaust denial. Last year, the Constitutional Court ruled he had violated his oath of office over antisemitic statements, though he avoided impeachment by resigning from parliament. He was re-elected in 2024.
The Liberal Movement, Gelūnas’ party, was involved in a big political corruption scandal in the mid-2010s. Its then leader, Eligijus Masiulis, was convicted for influence peddling and taking bribes from a big business group. The party also received a fine. Gelūnas was not personally involved in the case.
Condemnation from the opposition
Opposition leaders on Friday sharply criticised Žemaitaitis’ remarks. Liberal Movement Chair Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen called them “a disgusting antisemitic attack that cannot be ignored in a civilised country” and urged President Gitanas Nausėda and the ruling coalition to respond.
Democrats “For Lithuania” leader Saulius Skvernelis compared Žemaitaitis’ rhetoric to propaganda in Nazi Germany before the Holocaust, while Conservative faction head Mindaugas Lingė described the comments as “another act of anti-state provocation”.
He warned that if the ruling Social Democrats choose to maintain their coalition with Nemunas Dawn, they will be legitimising “this deplorable attack against Gelūnas and against Jews”.
President appalled, will block Nemunas Dawn candidate
President Gitanas Nausėda on Friday condemned Žemaitaitis’ comments about Gelūnas, calling them “appalling and unacceptable”, and said he will not approve any candidate for culture minister proposed by the party.
“This is appalling and absolutely unacceptable. It does not reflect Lithuania’s values and is not what our country stands for,” Nausėda said in a statement released to BNS. “Political struggle under no circumstances can turn into what we have seen and heard in recent days.”
“I want to say clearly and unequivocally – as head of state, I will not confirm any Nemunas Dawn nominee for culture minister,” he added.
The president also urged leaders of the ruling coalition to “responsibly assess the situation the country now faces.”
“A self-respecting political force simply cannot treat such a party as its coalition partner after these statements,” Nausėda said. “If there are people in Nemunas Dawn who disagree with such rhetoric, it is time for them to speak up.”
PM: various decisions are possible
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė also believes that Žemaitaitis’ recent statements are deplorable, her spokesman said.
“These antisemitic statements are deplorable and cannot be acceptable in any form. The fight against antisemitism is one of the areas the government pays particular attention to, so statements of this kind undermine all efforts and damage our common values,” Ignas Dobrovolskas told BNS.
“Both, these statements and the situation regarding the culture minister and the overall situation within the coalition will be assessed soon, and various decisions are possible. However, before any of them are made, they will first be discussed within the Social Democratic Party and the coalition,” he said.
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