Lithuanian Social Democrats to negotiate with Peasants on forming coalition

Lithuanian Social Democratic party (LSDP) on Friday decided to start negotiations with the Peasants and Greens Union (LVZS) to form the ruling coalition following Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Leaders of the social democrats have decided to start negotiations with LVZS to form the coalition and the upcoming government, said the country's prime minister Algirdas Butkevicius after the party presidium's sitting Friday afternoon.

"I've just called the leader of LVZS Ramunas Karbauskis and informed about our decision," Butkevicius told journalists.

"He welcomed our decision, and I hope the negotiations to form the ruling coalition will start next week," said Butkevicius.

Lithuanian social democrats, the leaders of the current government, have lost the country's parliamentary elections last Sunday coming third with 17 mandates in the 141-seat Seimas, Lithuanian parliament.

LVZS, the winner of the elections with 56 seats, has a mandate to form the coalition and invite partners.

LVZS is willing to form a broad coalition including both of LSDP and the conservative party the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) who have won the second place with 31 mandates.

LVZS secured 54 seats in the elections, while two of the four independent candidates who have entered Seimas were with LVZS in the first round of voting, and turned into independent candidates in the second round. LVZS counted its seats as 56 after the elections.

Earlier on Friday, Gabrielius Landsbergis, the leader of the conservatives, has published an announcement saying TS-LKD is ready to talk with LVZS. Though, Landsbergis repeated seven conditions for consultations to continue.

"We don't see any opportunities to attend any consultations or negotiations, if LVZS negotiate with the social democrats at the same time," said Landsbergis in his public announcement. Endit