Karbauskis gathering 2 coalitions: a formal and a value-based one

The Peasant and Greens Union is continuing negotiations with the Social Democrat Party. On October 31 the representatives of both parties met in Seimas where they discussed their next steps.

Representing the Social Democrats were Algirdas Butkevičius, Julius Sabatauskas, Algirdas Sysas, Gintautas Paluckas and Andrius Pavilionis. Not all Social Democrats agree with joining a coalition, so the party will have to balance between keeping the Social Democrats intact and their role as the junior partner in the coalition.

The Peasant and Greens Union was represented by Ramūnas Karbauskis, Saulius Skvernelis, Tomas Tomilinas, Eugenijus Jovaiša and Povilas Urbšys.

It was agreed that the Peasant and Green Union programme “Harmonious Lithuania” will serve as the basis of the coalition. Unofficial sources suggest that the Social Democrats raised no demands to the Peasant Greens.

“The information is such that we agreed to begin work on programme provisions, it was chosen that we will be working on the basis of the Peasant and Greens Union programme “Harmonious Lithuania.” A week has been assigned for this, we hope to finish by Monday,” said R. Karbauskis.
“It was easiest to come to agreement on key priorities – demographic challenges, emigration, birth rates, reducing poverty and social stratification. These are the key issues on which we have common opinions,” explained Skvernelis.

The politicians repeated that they did not speak on posts in the cabinet or Seimas. As has been mentioned earlier, however, the “Peasant” candidate for Prime Minister is S. Skvernelis, albeit MEP Bronius Ropė has been brought up as well.

The Social Democrat leader A. Butkevičius said that his party is not aiming for the post of Seimas Speaker. According to him it was agreed that in the cases where the potential coalition partners disagree, they will be free to vote as they will in Seimas. According to Butkevičius, gentlemanly behaviour will prevail.

However it is becoming clear that R. Karbauskis’ vision is far broader. He intends to bring together a coalition with the Social Democrats, however on other questions, such as alcohol sales, he intends to form a broad informal coalition, which could reach even a constitutional majority.

“The truth is that the Constitution needs amending to permit a state monopoly. It is just a question of whether we will gather the needed number of people to support the necessary amendments to the Constitution. If we fail, then we will instate specialised stores, but not a state monopoly. But we will walk this path to the end,” explained the Peasant and Greens Union leader.

“In this term there will be many questions on which a value-based coalition will gather, not a power-based on,” said Karbauskis, adding that he is certain most of the Conservative party would support proposals regarding alcohol accessibility.

Such an informal coalition could pass constitutional amendments which would permit a state monopoly in alcohol sale and in order to change the definition of the family.

Delfi reminds that the Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union won 56 mandates in the Seimas election, while the Social Democrats gained 17.