Archive · 9 Dec 2025
Lithuania's Social Democrats to Stay in Coalition with Party Leader Found Guilty of Anti-Semitism
In Lithuania, the ruling Social Democrats have decided to stay in a coalition with a smaller party called Nemunas Dawn.
The leader of Nemunas Dawn, Remigijus Zemaitaitis, was recently found guilty of making hateful comments against Jewish people and was fined.
The Social Democrats say they will wait to see if Zemaitaitis wins his appeal before making any changes to the coalition.
Many people in Lithuania have protested against Nemunas Dawn being part of the government, but the Social Democrats say this has not affected their public support.
Zemaitaitis had to resign from parliament earlier this year but was re-elected and his party joined the government again.
Lithuania's Social Democrats will remain in coalition with the Nemunas Dawn party despite its leader, Remigijus Zemaitaitis, being found guilty of incitement to hatred against Jews.
Zemaitaitis was fined 5,000 euros for social media posts that falsely blamed Jews for historical crimes and promoted hostility towards them.
The Social Democrats will wait until appeals are exhausted in Zemaitaitis’ case before deciding the future of the coalition.
Thousands protested in Vilnius in November 2024 and August 2024 against Nemunas Dawn’s inclusion in the government.
Zemaitaitis resigned from parliament in April 2024 after the Constitutional Court ruled his comments about Jews broke his oath, but he was re-elected six months later.
- Who
- Remigijus Zemaitaitis, leader of the Nemunas Dawn party, and Lithuania's Social Democrats
- What
- Lithuania's governing Social Democrats will remain in coalition with the Nemunas Dawn party despite its leader being found guilty of incitement to hatred against Jews
- When
- The decision was announced on December 9, 2024, with protests occurring in November 2024 and August 2024
- Where
- Vilnius, Lithuania
- Why
- The Social Democrats will wait until appeals are exhausted in Zemaitaitis’ case before deciding the future of the coalition
- Leader
- Remigijus Zemaitaitis
- Party
- Nemunas Dawn
- Fine
- 5,000 euros ($5,800)
- Coalition Partner
- Social Democrats
- Appeal Status
- Pending
- Protest Locations
- Vilnius
- Protest Dates
- November 2024, August 2024