After the October 2024 parliamentary elections, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) signed a coalition agreement with Democrats for Lithuania and the far-right Dawn of Nemunas (Nemuno Aušra – NA) party. This decision has led to criticism both domestically and internationally as NA and its leader have faced accusations of antisemitism. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has labelled the agreement a mistake, and German social democrats have expressed their discontent.
In the 2024 parliamentary elections, the antisemitic and far-right NA party secured 14.97% of the vote, earning 20 seats. Its leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, is repeatedly accused of antisemitism. Previously, he was expelled from the conservative and Eurosceptic Freedom and Justice Party for his antisemitic statements. In May 2023, Žemaitaitis posted antisemitic comments on Facebook, claiming that “the Jews and Russians” oppressed ethnic Lithuanians during World War II and were responsible for the 1944 massacre of the village of Pirčiupiai. These remarks prompted harsh criticism from Lithuanian politicians, the Lithuanian Jewish community, and numerous ambassadors to Lithuania.
Following this, the office of the Prosecutor General launched an investigation into Žemaitaitis’ actions, accusing him of inciting hatred against the Jewish community.
On 4 December, a Lithuanian court convicted Žemaitaitis for making antisemitic comments and imposed a fine of 5,000 euros. The district court in Vilnius found that he incited hatred against Jews, grossly downplayed the crimes of Nazi Germany, and minimised the Holocaust in an offensive and insulting manner. The punishment was less than the prosecutors’ demand for a 51,000-euro fine. Žemaitaitis will pay the fine to a fund for victims of crime. The case pertains to social media posts and public statements made in May and June 2023, in which he remarked: “Apparently, for our journalists and local Lithuanian Jews, the demolition of schools in Palestine is yet another pastime?!” He also quoted an antisemitic nursery rhyme and made comments related to events during World War II.
The Associated Press reported Judge Nida Vigelienė saying that “Žemaitaitis chose and used language that was degrading, violated human dignity and demonstrated hatred.”
Žemaitaitis resigned from Lithuania’s parliament in 2024 after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had violated his oath and the constitution. He later returned as the leader of NA, which joined a coalition government with the centre-left Social Democrats. Although not in the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, he remains a member of parliament.
On Thursday, the Vilnius court ruled that his rhetoric exceeded the limits of freedom of expression. Žemaitaitis, who denies any wrongdoing and plans to appeal, was not present at the hearing and called the ruling “a politicised decision.”
The Social Democrats stated that antisemitism, hate speech, and Holocaust denial are unacceptable and reaffirmed respect for the court’s decision, although they noted it is not yet final.
