MP Dainius Varnas has left the Nemunas Dawn party, part of Lithuania’s ruling coalition, announcing his decision on Facebook on Saturday.
“Given the current situation in the state and understanding that in politics, daily life, and even the whirlwinds of history, faith and trust are not empty words, I have decided to leave the Nemunas Dawn party,” he wrote.
Varnas criticised the party leadership, saying decisions were based on “political figures’ dubious convictions” and that the leadership “has been monopolised, disregarding even minimal democratic procedures.”
He added that “politics is perceived solely as a sphere of convenient political bargaining, and a course that deepens divisions in society is being deliberately pursued.”
The MP confirmed to BNS that he will also leave the Nemunas Dawn parliamentary group, work temporarily with the Group of Non-attached Members, and later decide whether to join another political faction.
Varnas’ departure follows controversial remarks by party chairman Remigijus Žemaitaitis about Arūnas Gelūnas, director of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art and a leading figure in recent cultural protests.
Žemaitaitis claimed Gelūnas was “an organiser of coups in the state” and questioned his alleged Jewish heritage. The comments were widely condemned by the president, the parliament speaker, the prime minister, the Social Democrats, and opposition parties as anti-Semitic and inciting hatred.
Police confirmed on Saturday that a pre-trial investigation had been launched into Zemaitaitis’ remarks on suspicion of incitement to hatred.
Varnas was elected to parliament on the Nemunas Dawn list.
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