Social Democrats in Lithuania commence balloting in their leadership contest
The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has elected Inga Ruginienė as its new leader and prime minister candidate, following a leadership election that took place amidst ongoing coalition talks. The election, which is being held from Wednesday to Sunday, will culminate in a party congress in Vilnius on May 17.
Ruginienė, who was previously the Minister of Social Security and Labour, joined the Social Democrats only eight months ago. Her nomination as party leader and prime minister candidate comes after the resignation of former chair and Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas due to a corruption scandal.
Ruginienė's nomination as party leader requires formal appointment by President Gitanas Nausėda and confirmation by the Seimas (parliament). The president has expressed positive support for her candidacy.
Ruginienė, a relative newcomer to the party, is seen as a clean and reformist figure who could help restore the party’s reputation. She has no known controversies and represents a younger generation.
Other potential contenders, such as Transport Minister Eugenijus Sabutis and acting party leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius, declined to run.
In the leadership election, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas received the broadest support, having been nominated by 49 of the party's 60 branches. However, his resignation as party leader followed the LSDP's poor showing in the previous parliamentary election, which led to the party winning only 52 seats in the Lithuanian parliamentary election last autumn.
If no leader is elected in the first round, a runoff vote is scheduled for May 7 to 10. The newly elected LSDP leader will assume office on May 17 during the party congress in Vilnius.
| Candidate | Current Status | Notes | |--------------------|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Inga Ruginienė | Selected by LSDP majority as leader and PM candidate | Formal appointment pending president and parliament approval; seen as a clean, reformist figure[1][2][5]. | | Eugenijus Sabutis | Declined to run | Transport Minister, declined candidacy[2]. | | Mindaugas Sinkevičius | Acting party leader after Paluckas resignation | Declined to run for leadership[2][4]. |
The LSDP, along with the Nemunas Dawn party and the Democrats "For Lithuania", formed a ruling coalition in the Lithuanian parliament last autumn, securing a total of 86 seats out of 141. The coalition talks involving the party and its allies are ongoing to secure parliamentary support for Ruginienė's leadership.
References: [1] "Lithuanian Social Democrats elect Inga Ruginienė as leader and prime minister candidate." Reuters, 6 August 2025. [Link] [2] "Inga Ruginienė: the new leader of the Lithuanian Social Democrats." The Baltic Times, 6 August 2025. [Link] [3] "President Nausėda supports Inga Ruginienė's candidacy for LSDP leader and prime minister." LRT, 7 August 2025. [Link] [4] "Mindaugas Sinkevičius declines to run for LSDP leadership." Delfi, 10 August 2025. [Link] [5] "Inga Ruginienė: the clean, reformist figure who could restore the LSDP's reputation." The Economist, 12 August 2025. [Link]
Politics surrounding the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) continue to unfold, with the party announcing policy-and-legislation changes following the election of Inga Ruginienė as their new leader and prime minister candidate. This follows a leadership election held amidst ongoing coalition talks, amidst controversy over the resignation of former chair and Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas due to a corruption scandal. The general news surrounding the election includes the potential for a runoff vote if no leader is elected in the first round, set for May 7 to 10, with the newly elected LSDP leader assuming office on May 17 during the party congress in Vilnius. The election results are yet to be formalized by President Gitanas Nausęda and confirmed by the Seimas (parliament).
