Liberals frustrated with Conservatives – thanks, but no thanks

Remigijus Šimašius
DELFI / Domantas Pipas

Conservative (TS-LKD) public discourse has continued to suggest and now they have formally stated in negotiations with Lithuanian Peasant and Greens Union (LVŽS) that they would like to see the Liberal Movement included in their coalition. The representatives of the Liberals only shrug at this, having neither asked for, nor wanted this, based on their responses on social media.

R. Šimašius – very flattering, but not suitable for Lithuania

“It is very flattering that our colleagues, the Conservatives, believe that only we, the Liberals, can protect them from the dangerous contagions expected in a coalition with the “Peasants.” However I would like to clearly and unequivocally say – economic socialism and restrictions of personal freedom are not suited for Lithuania.

Thus we will remain faithful to our voters and will oppose such ideas, whoever propose them. We will not participate in any coalition which is based on such ideas,” Liberal Movement Chairman Remigijus Šimašius wrote on his Facebook account.

G. Steponavičius – we will not sacrifice our core values

Earlier in the day, another party leader, Gintaras Steponavičius, shared a comment with similar implications.

“Looking at the discussions on forming coalitions, some may think that the TS-LKD are advocating for the Liberal Movement or that we are hell-bent on entering a coalition with the Peasant Greens. Gabrielius Landsbergis is presenting such an opinion unilaterally and no agreement or request to represent the Liberals has been made.

I will repeat – the Liberals are not hell-bent on entering a majority with parties that would limit citizen’s freedom of choice. We will not sacrifice our core values,” he explained.

Identified as a condition

However the leader of the LVŽS consultation group Povilas Urbšys who sat down to negotiate with the Conservatives on Tuesday pointed out that the presence of Liberals in the coalition is one of the Conservative’s conditions.

“During the discussion we identified a number of their core guidelines. First of all they see no coalition with the Social Democrats, somewhat doubtful of our national cabinet idea. Secondly one of the core conditions is that we have to approach the Liberals as potential coalition partners because they imagine themselves with the Liberals,” stated the LVŽS consultation group leader Povilas Urbšys.

The Peasant and Greens Union will have 56 seats in Seimas, while the Conservatives will have 31 and the Liberals – 14.

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