Lithuania's ruling Social Democrats (LSDP) voted on June 6 to remove the radical right populist Nemunas Dawn party from the governing coalition and open talks with the Democrats "For Lithuania", a move expected to trigger changes in the cabinet.

“The decision is timely, as Nemunas Dawn was wreaking a lot of havoc in the country. Although the new likely coalition of the LSDP, “For Lithuania” and the Farmers and Greens will have a slight majority in the parliament, Seimas, it will be much more predictable, and of better quality,” Vytautas Dumbliauskas, a prominent Lithuanian political scientist, told IntelliNews.

"For the Democrats “For Lithuania”, reeling off from the resignation of the party’s founder Saulius Skvernelis, who is charged with the acceptance of €51,000 in cash bribes between June and November 2025 through an intermediary connected to the State Plant Protection Service, is perhaps the best chance to stay afloat and expect to pass the 5% parliamentary election barrier in 2028.”

The LSDP council backed the coalition by 116 votes to one, with three abstentions, party leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius said after the meeting, delfi.lt, a Lithuanian news website, reported.

Sinkevicius said the party is ready to form a new governing majority.

Delfi, citing sources, reported that Culture Minister Vaida Aleknaviciene, Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovicius and Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekunas could be among those whose positions come under scrutiny if a new coalition is formed.

According to the LSDP leader, talks with the Democrats would be given up to two weeks, although he hoped negotiations could begin next week.

The party said the current coalition format no longer met the standards of political trust, responsibility and stable government, citing the public statements and conduct of Nemunas Dawn leader Remigijus Zemaitaitis, persistent political tensions, reputational risks and difficulties in securing support for key decisions.

Sinkevicius said the decision was not aimed at reshuffling posts for its own sake, but acknowledged that changes in the government were likely.

"We will discuss all configurations, both changes in the government and broader changes, with coalition partners once we know the majority," he said, delfi.lt reported.

Asked whether he could replace Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, Sinkevicius said no decision had been taken, but added that he felt responsible for implementing the changes he had proposed and that, in general, the Social Democrats remained satisfied with Ruginiene's work.

LSDP deputy chairman Robertas Duchnevicius said he would see no problem with Sinkevicius becoming prime minister, while stressing that Ruginiene continued to enjoy the party's confidence.

President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed the Social Democrats' decision, saying it had been long in the making. He cited concerns over Zemaitaitis's rhetoric, questions about Nemunas Dawn's financing and the party's stance on key national security legislation, delfi.lt said.

Nauseda said he hoped the government reset would not take too long and that he was ready to work constructively with the new ruling majority.

Virginijus Sinkevicius, acting leader of the Democrats "For Lithuania", said his party was not seeking to enter government at any cost, but was prepared to take responsibility if needed. He said negotiations should focus on policy and implementation rather than posts.

He named social policy, defence continuity and anti-corruption measures in ministries and subordinate bodies as potential priorities.

Zemaitaitis said the Social Democrats' decision had not surprised him, arguing that the move had been expected since Mindaugas Sinkevicius became LSDP chairman and talks with the Democrats began.

He predicted that Sinkevicius would eventually seek the premiership and said a change of prime minister without a scandal, conflict or no-confidence process would be unprecedented in Lithuania, delfi.lt said.