SocDem leader sees MPs’ planned deal as ‘slap in the face’ to party

Paluckas said that the party had not been asked to approve the initiative, adding that its governing bodies would have to state their position on the proposal.

“This is a slap in the face to the party before it makes its decision on the coalition. (This is) an attempt to consolidate the foundations of the crumbling coalition through such an unapproved, non-discussed and unseen agreement,” the chairman told BNS.

“This is a slap in the face to the party, not its chairman, and to the absolute majority of its branches that are today discussing these issues and making decisions,” he said.

Under the LSDP bylaws, Palionis’ proposal needs to be discussed by the party’s board and presidium, which will likely hold meetings next week, the chairman said.

According to him, the party’s branches should complete voting on whether or not to withdraw from the ruling coalition with the LFGU on Sept. 20, with their position likely to be presented at the LSDP council’s meeting on Sept. 23.

Forty-two of the party’s 60 branches have already stated their position. Thirty-one branches are in favor of withdrawing from the ruling coalition, five propose to continue working with the LFGU and another six call for renegotiating the coalition agreement.

Palionis said after Wednesday’s meeting with Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis that the two ruling parties’ political groups in the Seimas planned to sign a memorandum on cooperation during the parliament’s upcoming fall session.

Skvernelis said that the groups would set out in the agreement the key tasks for the session, including passing next year’s budget, tax changes and measures to reduce social exclusion and poverty.