Democrats face a coalition deadline, and Motuzas advises against rushing decisions in response to the coalition's ultimatum.
In the heart of Lithuania, a political crisis unfolds following the resignation of Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas in early August 2025. Paluckas, leader of the Social Democrats (LSDP), stepped down amid corruption allegations involving preferential loans and financial fraud investigations.
The entire cabinet resigned along with him, causing the collapse of the ruling coalition, which included the LSDP, the Democrats "For Lithuania," and the Nemunas Dawn party. This coalition, collectively holding a parliamentary majority, has been at the helm of Lithuania's affairs since last year.
President Gitanas Nausėda appointed Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius—also from the Social Democrats—as interim prime minister to lead a caretaker government during the transition. The Social Democrats, with the largest group in the Seimas, are now responsible for the future of the majority, according to Remigijus Motuzas, elder of the Social Democratic political group.
The ruling coalition is in flux, with the Social Democrats expected to nominate a new candidate for prime minister soon. Motuzas, however, has expressed that he would not agree to serve due to lacking a certain professional background in specific areas. He urges politicians not to rush decisions, emphasising their responsibility to the State of Lithuania and Lithuanian society.
The coalition's stability is crucial for the government to function effectively, but it faces challenges owing to the corruption scandal and ongoing investigations, including arrests linked to the ex-PM's circle. Saulius Skvernelis, Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas and leader of the Democrats "For Lithuania," has stated that his party would leave the coalition if Paluckas remains as prime minister. If the prime minister changes, and the coalition agreement is renegotiated, the Democrats are unlikely to agree to be part of the same coalition with Nemunas Dawn again, according to Skvernelis.
Motuzas reiterates that the Democrats were aware of Nemunas Dawn's nature as a coalition partner when they decided to work together last year. He hopes for continuity of the work of the current Cabinet of Ministers and the coalition under the future prime minister. Motuzas suggests that there should be as little talk as possible about crises in the coalition to achieve stability in the country.
The Social Democrats, as the largest party in parliament, are taking the situation seriously and will make appropriate decisions if needed. They are working to stabilise the political situation and re-establish a lasting coalition to continue reforms and maintain Lithuania's role in NATO and EU affairs. As the political landscape shifts, Lithuania waits with bated breath for the outcome of these crucial coalition negotiations.
[1] BBC News, "Lithuania's Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigns amid corruption scandal," 4 August 2025, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58093868
[2] Reuters, "Lithuania's Social Democrats nominate finance minister as caretaker prime minister," 5 August 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuanias-social-democrats-nominate-finance-minister-caretaker-prime-minister-2025-08-05/
[3] Deutsche Welle, "Lithuania's coalition collapses after prime minister's resignation," 4 August 2025, https://www.dw.com/en/lithuanias-coalition-collapses-after-prime-ministers-resignation/a-58092527
[4] The Guardian, "Lithuania's coalition partners call for prime minister's resignation," 3 August 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/03/lithuanias-coalition-partners-call-for-prime-ministers-resignation
[5] Al Jazeera, "Lithuania's prime minister arrested in corruption probe," 1 August 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/1/lithuanias-prime-minister-arrested-in-corruption-probe
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