The initial election round saw negotiations take place between the Social Democrats and the Democrats. Following three hours of discussions, an agreement could not be reached. During the talks, the Democrats submitted a detailed list of proposals intended to form the government’s work program for potential coalition partners.
A key point of contention involved ministerial portfolios. The Democrats stipulated a minimum requirement of three ministries, specifically citing the Environment, Agriculture, and Energy portfolios, which were included under the original “Auksininkai” coalition agreement. Furthermore, the Democrats expressed a desire to secure the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Democratic leader Virginijus Sinkevičius was reportedly reluctant to comment on the specific issue of ministerial positions. A long-standing goal for the Social Democrats has been to change the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys. However, this objective faces political headwinds, as President Gitanas Nausėda continues to support the existing administration.
Consequently, V. Sinkevičius has been identified as a potential compromise candidate to bridge the gap between the parties. The proceedings of this first round highlighted significant policy divergences.
While the Democrats presented their comprehensive platform, the inability to agree on cabinet structure suggests that the coalition building process remains complex. The differing demands regarding ministerial control indicate that substantial compromises are necessary before a final governing agreement can be established.
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