Lithuania must work with America to counter all forms of hate and uphold common values, prominent lawmaker insists
US Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) has criticized Lithuania’s ruling party for forming a coalition with a political group whose leader is facing charges of making anti-Semitic statements. Cardin argues that this decision contradicts democratic principles and poses a danger to the Jewish community.
Remigijus Zemaitaitis, leader of the Dawn of Nemunas party, was expelled from the Freedom and Justice party in 2023 due to his anti-Semitic rhetoric. Zemaitaitis, 42, asserted last year that Jews and Russians had oppressed Lithuanians during World War II. He also called for the execution of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Lithuania’s Constitutional Court ruled in April that Zemaitaitis’ statements were anti-Semitic, finding that he violated his oath as a member of parliament and the country’s constitution. Consequently, he was forced to resign as an MP. The Prosecutor General’s Office is conducting a separate investigation into his remarks.
Senator Cardin, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement on Friday expressing concern that the Social Democratic Party’s (LSDP) decision to enter into a coalition with Dawn of Nemunas undermines the shared values of the US and Lithuania.
“At a time when antisemitism is on the rise around the world, giving a platform to anti-Semitic rhetoric and acts of hate is not just a betrayal of shared democratic ideals, but a physical threat to the safety of Jewish and minority communities,” Cardin warned.
He urged Lithuania, a member of NATO and the EU, to continue collaborating with the US “to counter all forms of hate and ensure that our shared values remain unshaken.”
Zemaitaitis maintains that his remarks were not anti-Semitic and denies any wrongdoing.
Following last month’s parliamentary elections in Lithuania, the Social Democrats, who secured 52 seats in the 141-seat legislature, invited Dawn of Nemunas (20 seats) and Union of Democrats ‘For Lithuania’ (14 seats) to join the ruling coalition. Together, the three parties will hold 86 seats.
On Saturday, Gintautas Paluckas, deputy leader of the Social Democrats and designated Prime Minister, defended the party’s decision, explaining that it was “the only way” to create a “sustainable” coalition. He told reporters that Zemaitaitis will not be given a government position, but his party will lead three ministries.
“Some claim the whole Nemunas Dawn party is anti-Semitic – we don’t see it like that,” Paluckas said, as cited by Reuters. “There is no place for antisemitism, neither in the Social Democrat party nor its government,” he added.