„Today we met with Paluckas, we had a discussion, we talked, and now we will move on,“ Žemaitaitis told Elta.
„Four political forces have been invited – Vardan Lietuvos (In the Name of Lithuania), Peasants, Liberals Movement and Nemuno Aušra (The Dawn of Nemunas). Since we were invited, we had a courtesy tea today,“ he noted.
According to Nemuno Aušra's leader, the meeting focused on the compatibility of the two parties' programmes.
„We tried to run through our main points, what we envision and would like. We find solutions on 60–70% of the points of contact, but on the actual implementation in some places, we will have to see“, Žemaitaitis said.
„Since they (the Social Democrats – ELTA) will be talking with the Liberal Movement and other colleagues shortly, we, in turn, will set up a working group of several people to negotiate with, if I may say so,“ he added.
The politician assured that Nemuno Aušra had not received an invitation to join the ruling coalition so far.
„We have had discussions at the level of full consultations – the decision on coalitions will probably be taken on Thursday, Friday, because the plenary session of the Seimas has already been convened on Monday“, Žemaitaitis said.
„Then, apparently, the negotiating groups of the parties will meet and see what can be done and how. If there are those points of contact, then we will probably move to another format“, he said.
The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), which won the Seimas elections, says it will continue consultations not only with the Democratic Union Vardan Lietuvos (In the Name of Lithuania) and the Peasants but also with Nemuno Aušra (Dawn of the Nemunas) led by Žemaitaitis and the Liberal Movement led by Viktorija Čmilytės-Nielsen. The LSDP Presidium approved this decision on Wednesday evening.
After the LSDP praesidium, it was also announced that the Social Democrats leader, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, would not be Prime Minister. Instead, it is proposed that Paluckas be delegated the position of Head of Government.
In the new Seimas, the LSDP won 52 seats, Vardan Lietuvos – 14, LVŽS – 8. Meanwhile, Nemuno Aušra will have 20 representatives in the Seimas, the Liberals – 12.
