Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party has voted to restructure the country’s governing coalition, moving to expel the controversial populist party Nemunas Dawn and bring in

Democrats “For Lithuania” as a replacement partner.

Party chairman Mindaugas Sinkevičius said the decision reflects growing concerns about political instability and the direction of the current alliance.

“We can see that we are not moving towards greater stability in the country, and the party’s chairman may even be becoming more radical,” Sinkevičius told reporters. “What society needs today is the opposite: stability, a clear direction, decision-making, rather than political noise.”

The move follows months of internal debate within the Social Democrats and criticism from both opposition figures and some members of the party over cooperation with Nemunas Dawn, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis.

Earlier this week, Sinkevičius said he had been weighing several possible scenarios for coalition changes, which he planned to present to the party council. According to unofficial reports, the proposed shake-up could extend beyond ministerial posts and potentially include a change of prime minister, with Inga Ruginienė’s position reportedly under discussion.

The coalition reshuffle is also seen as part of a broader strategy by the Social Democrats to strengthen their public standing ahead of next year’s municipal elections.

Tensions within the governing bloc have been rising, with opposition Liberal and Conservative politicians claiming this week that the government may seek to replace Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, a former adviser to President Gitanas Nausėda. Prime Minister Ruginienė has expressed confidence in Budrys, despite the speculation.

Within the coalition, some Social Democrats have voiced frustration with Žemaitaitis, accusing him of publicly criticising several ministers, including Budrys.

After the 2024 parliamentary elections, the Social Democrats initially formed a coalition with Nemunas Dawn and Democrats “For Lithuania.” However, the Democrats were later replaced by the parliamentary group of the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union.

The current governing coalition holds 80 seats in the Seimas. Photo by AndreasLT, Wikimedia commons.