Lithuania’s governing Social Democrat party decided Saturday to expel the populist Nemunas Dawn from their coalition government following the antisemitism conviction of the party’s leader.
The Social Democrats, who have been leading a three-party coalition with a narrow parliamentary majority, plan to approach the centre-right For Lithuania party as a replacement partner to preserve their governing majority, according to leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius.
“We were patient… but we see that the (Nemunas Dawn) chairman is getting more radical, while the country needs stability,” Sinkevicius stated to reporters following a Social Democrat leadership gathering.
In December, a Vilnius court convicted Nemunas Dawn founder and chairman Remigijus Zemaitaitis of inciting hatred toward Jews and minimizing the Holocaust through social media content. Zemaitaitis has maintained his innocence, characterizing the ruling as politically driven and submitting an appeal.
While the Social Democrats initially agreed to retain his party in the coalition during the appeals process, Nemunas Dawn opposed a government proposal in May to create new military facilities along the Belarus border. Additionally, financial crimes investigators searched Zemaitaitis’ property as part of a fraud probe, though Zemaitaitis has again proclaimed his innocence and holds no ministerial position.
The cabinet, which includes the Farmers and Greens Union as well, may undergo significant restructuring during forthcoming negotiations, Sinkevicius indicated. He hinted at potentially assuming the prime minister role from deputy Social Democrat leader Inga Ruginiene.
Stray Ukrainian drones have heightened tensions with Russia, the NATO and European Union member’s larger neighboring country, during a period when U.S. dedication to NATO’s mutual defense principles faces uncertainty.
For Lithuania previously participated in the Social Democrat coalition from 2004 through last year, when it compelled the departure of former Social Democrat leader and Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, who now faces illegal enrichment charges.
