Speaking to the news portal Lrytas, Žemaitaitis said he saw a high probability that the Social Democrats could invite Nemuno Aušra to join the ruling coalition as early as Wednesday. At the same time, the politician indicated which government position he would seek.
What to expect today?
After announcing that they will have a final decision on the ruling coalition partners on Saturday, the Social Democrats' negotiating group has already met this week with the Democratic Union Vardan Lietuvos (In the Name of Lithuania), led by Sauliaus Skvernelis, as well as with the Lithuanian Peasants' and Greens' Union (LVŽS), led by Ramūnas Karbauskis. On Thursday, they promise to meet with the representatives of the Liberals' Movement.
After meeting with Žemaitaitis on Monday, Social Democrats' prime ministerial candidate, Gintautas Paluckas, is inviting the leader of Nemunas Aušra for an interview on Wednesday evening.
„When we met with Paluckas on Monday, we discussed programmatic issues and programmatic attitudes, our points of contact, and their points of contact.
I think that today, the Social Democrats will present their positions on the questions I asked and on the programmatic points we raised.
And suppose these points of contact are there. In that case, it may be that Gintas will propose to join the coalition, to form a negotiating, bilateral group that could further negotiate the coalition agreement,“ Žemaitaitis said.
The politician did not think he would hear such an invitation during today's meeting.
„The probability is high because sound logic must prevail. If we are talking about a centre-left Government, then centre-left political forces should participate in forming the centre-left.
Today, a solid ruling majority is needed more than ever because the Social Democrats are coming to power after an eight-year break, and given that the Conservatives rule the middle ground and have left enough time bombs, it is natural that a strong force will be needed,“ Žemaitaitis reasoned.
What posts would they seek?
LVŽS said on Tuesday, after a meeting with the Social Democrats, that it would like at least two ministerial portfolios. For his part, Žemaitaitis noted that on Wednesday, he would not yet make demands to potential coalition partners.
„There will be no demands today – today there will be a discussion on whether there is a coalition and whether we can or cannot participate.
If we agree, then on Thursday or Friday, we could discuss positions and posts, what is important and relevant to us, and what we would like.
I have publicly stated that the agricultural sector and the environment are the areas where we have the best, most qualified people. As for home affairs, the Ministry of Justice—Agnė Širinskienė could easily be a strong Justice Minister. We have people from local government in the Home Affairs system,“ he said.
At the same time, Žemaitaitis assured that Nemuno Aušra is not seeking to become the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of National Defence or the Minister of Finance.
Žemaitaitis would see himself as Minister of Agriculture or the Environment.
„This is what is close to my heart, what I have worked for. I have worked on the health committee for the last seven years. Still, it is natural that the Government or the Prime Minister chooses the Ministry of Health for itself, just like the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, to achieve the so-called welfare of the state,“ the politician said.
Can Nemuno Aušra count on the President's blessing to be in the ruling coalition? Political observers have speculated that the rhetoric of President Gitanas Nausėda has recently opened the gates of power for Žemaitaitis.
„The President has opened the gates long enough, but most of the same observers don't want to see it,“ Žemaitaitis said.
According to the politician, a final handshake between the coalition partners can be expected as early as Friday.
„If we are not in the coalition, it could be a handshake; if we are invited – it could also happen. In any case, the Social Democrats, Vardan Lietuvos and the Peasants dominate today. They may agree, which will be signed between them on Friday“, Žemaitaitis said.
On Tuesday, after a meeting with the Social Democrats, Skvernelis said that the LSDP had heard their expectations regarding the coalition partners – Skvernelis has repeatedly said that the political force he leads does not want to work with the Peasants.
Paluckas did not comment on this statement and said that the Social Democrats continue consultations with all political forces except the Conservatives. However, he hinted that the ruling coalition should have more than 80 MPs.
At the same time, the Peasants said that they saw no obstacles to joining the ruling coalition and had no problems working with Skverneli's Democrats.
Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, the chair of the Liberal Movement, said that the Liberals would not be an easy coalition partner but were open to coalition talks.
