The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) has long positioned itself as a progressive force in Lithuanian politics. However, recent developments suggest a troubling retreat from its previous commitments to LGBTI rights, raising questions about the party’s true values, their adherence to the EU social commitments, and its ability to champion meaningful social change. This shift becomes particularly significant as Lithuania approaches a crucial political moment: the Seimas elections scheduled for October 13, 2024.

The Looming 2024 Seimas Elections

As Lithuania prepares for the upcoming parliamentary elections, political parties are fine-tuning their strategies and platforms. The LSDP, as one of the major political forces in the country, finds itself at a crossroads. The party’s stance on LGBTI rights has become a focal point, highlighting broader questions about its identity and commitment to progressive values in the run-up to this crucial vote.

Broken Promises and Political Expediency

In 2020, the LSDP’s election program included a clear commitment to pass a partnership law that would allow same-sex couples to formalize their relationships. This stance positioned the party as an ally to the LGBTI community and a beacon of progressive values. However, as the 2024 elections approach, the party has notably softened its position.

LSDP vice-chairman Gintautas Paluckas recently stated, “We are looking reality in the face and know that there will definitely not be a majority for the partnership issue in either this or the next Seimas, and there is no need to irritate society because of this.” This stark reversal suggests a prioritization of political calculus over principled advocacy for human rights, possibly aimed at appealing to a broader electorate in the upcoming elections.

The Controversial Figure of Gintautas Paluckas

Gintautas Paluckas, now a vice-chairman of LSDP, has a complex political history that adds another layer to the LSDP’s inconsistent approach to progressive issues. His political journey began with the Young Conservatives League. It was only after a brief period of emigration to the United Kingdom, where he studied and worked, that Paluckas experienced a shift in his political views.

As Paluckas himself has recounted, his time in the UK led him to reevaluate his political stance, ultimately leading to his alignment with social democratic principles. This transformation highlights the potential for personal growth and ideological change, but it also raises questions about the depth and consistency of the LSDP’s progressive values.

In 2012, Paluckas was convicted by the Supreme Court of Lithuania in the so-called “rat case.” He was found guilty of abuse of office during his time as the director of Vilnius City Municipality administration, related to a non-transparent public procurement process for pest control services. This conviction, which overturned a previous acquittal, resulted in a two-year suspended prison sentence and an order to repay over 57,000 litas (approximately €16,500) to the municipality budget.

The fact that a figure with this complex background now holds a prominent position in the LSDP and is influencing its stance on critical human rights issues is noteworthy. While personal growth and changing political views are not inherently problematic, Paluckas’s journey from conservative roots to a leadership role in the LSDP, combined with his legal troubles, contributes to the party’s image of ideological fluidity and raises questions about its commitment to long-standing progressive principles.

Members of the LSDP party participated in Baltic Pride 2019, where Swedish Foreign Trade Minister Ann Linde (pictured on the right) was also in attendance.

Vague Promises Replace Concrete Action

The LSDP’s 2024 election program now merely promises to “fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation” and ensure “equal rights for all people to create and maintain relationships as a couple.” While these goals sound laudable, they lack the concrete commitment to legislative action that was present in the previous platform.

This shift to vaguer language allows the party to claim support for LGBTI rights without committing to potentially controversial specific measures. It’s a political tightrope walk that risks leaving LGBTI Lithuanians without substantive progress.

Internal Divisions Exposed

The party’s ambivalence on LGBTI rights was starkly illustrated in May 2021, when five out of eleven LSDP MPs present voted against even allowing debate on a partnership bill in the Seimas. This internal rift led to several high-profile departures from the party, including long-time members and LGBTI rights advocates.

Artūras Rudomanskis, a party member since 2008 and chair of the Tolerant Youth Association, cited this vote as the final straw in his decision to leave the LSDP. He lamented that despite having good leaders, “the whole bulldozer is unable to move clearly in the direction of its principles and values.”

Conspicuous Absence at Record-Breaking Pride Event in 2024

The LSDP’s ambivalence towards LGBTI rights was further highlighted by a glaring absence in June 2024. As Lithuania witnessed its largest-ever Pride event, drawing record-breaking crowds and international attention, the LSDP was notably missing from the event. This absence spoke volumes, especially considering that a number of other political figures were present to show their support for the LGBTI community.

The party’s decision to skip this landmark event raises serious questions about its commitment to LGBTI rights and its willingness to stand publicly with the community. This absence is particularly striking given the LSDP’s historical positioning as a progressive force in Lithuanian politics and its previous promises to support LGBTI rights.

The timing of this absence, just months before the October 2024 Seimas elections, suggests a calculated political move. It appears the party is attempting to avoid potential controversy and appeal to more conservative voters, even at the cost of alienating its progressive base and the LGBTI community.

This decision stands in stark contrast to the party’s 2020 election promises and sends a troubling message about the LSDP’s priorities as it approaches a crucial electoral test. It also provides further evidence of the party’s inconsistent and wavering approach to LGBTI rights, reinforcing concerns about its reliability as an ally to the community.

Internal Contradictions and Mixed Messages

The LSDP’s inconsistent approach to LGBTI rights, exemplified by its absence from the record-breaking Pride event, is further highlighted by the actions of some of its prominent members. A case in point is Liutauras Gudžinskas, a social democrat who has been open about his homosexuality. In a surprising move, Gudžinskas appeared in support of President Gitanas Nausėda during televised debates on LRT, despite Nausėda’s extremely conservative stance on LGBTI issues.

This support for Nausėda, coming months before the Seimas elections, raises questions about the LSDP’s strategic positioning and its willingness to compromise on core issues for potential political gain.

When questioned about this apparent contradiction, Gudžinskas offered a nuanced explanation:

1. He claimed his participation was primarily focused on education issues, not human rights.
2. He characterized his support for Nausėda as “advance trust,” hoping the president would remain open to dialogue and potentially support legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the future.

However, this rationalization raises several concerns:

– It suggests a willingness to compromise on core principles in hopes of incremental progress.
– It potentially sends mixed messages to the LGBTI community and LSDP supporters who expect the party to take a firm stance on equality.
– It highlights the internal divisions within the LSDP on how to approach LGBTI rights politically.

Jūratė Juškaitė, head of the Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights, offered a pointed critique of the party’s approach. Her perspective carries particular weight given her connection to the LSDP through family ties; she is the partner of Birutė Sabatauskaitė, the Equal Opportunities Ombudswoman and daughter of LSDP’s prominent figure Julius Sabatauskas. However, Juškaitė did not hesitate to question whether the party’s support for Nausėda aligns with its own program and modern social democratic values. She emphasized that for voters who prioritize human rights, the LSDP’s actions send a deeply ambiguous message. This ambiguity, Juškaitė warned, could significantly erode trust in the party among its progressive base.

A Crisis of Identity and Credibility

The LSDP’s wavering on LGBTI rights, exemplified by its absence from the landmark June 2024 Pride event, speaks to a broader identity crisis within the party. As political scientist Andrius Bielskis, another departing member, put it: “Very often, the Social Democrats are like that Pirates of the Caribbean ship, where everyone only votes for themselves.”

This lack of cohesion around core values threatens to undermine the party’s credibility as a progressive force in Lithuanian politics. It also leaves LGBTI Lithuanians and their allies questioning whether they have any true political champions in the country as they consider their votes for the October 2024 Seimas elections.

The LSDP’s 2020 election program explicitly promised support for the LGBTI community, including a commitment to pass a partnership law allowing same-sex couples to formalize their relationships. However, the party’s actions, including Gudžinskas’s support for Nausėda, the broader party endorsement of his candidacy, and the absence from the Pride event, seem at odds with these stated goals.

This disconnect between the party’s written platform and its political maneuvering risks undermining its credibility as a progressive force in Lithuanian politics. It leaves LGBTI voters and allies questioning whether the LSDP can be trusted to follow through on its promises when political expediency suggests otherwise, a crucial consideration as they head to the polls in October 2024.

The Way Forward

If the LSDP truly wishes to be a party of social progress, it must find the courage to stand firmly behind its stated values, even when facing political headwinds. This is particularly crucial in the months leading up to the Seimas elections. The party should consider:

1. Reaffirming a clear, actionable commitment to LGBTI rights, including partnership legislation, in its 2024 election platform.
2. Addressing internal divisions and ensuring party discipline on key human rights votes.
3. Engaging in sustained public education efforts to build broader support for LGBTI equality as part of its election campaign.
4. Collaborating more closely with LGBTI organizations and advocates to shape policy proposals for the upcoming legislative term.
5. Carefully considering the backgrounds and actions of its leadership and candidates to ensure they align with the party’s professed values.
6. Publicly explaining its absence from the June 2024 Pride event and committing to visible support for future LGBTI community events.

The LSDP’s current leader, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, speaks of “raising the level of tolerance.” However, true progress requires more than tolerance – it demands active support and concrete policy changes, which should be clearly articulated in the party’s election promises and demonstrated through consistent public actions.

As Lithuania continues to grapple with issues of LGBTI equality, the country needs political parties willing to lead on principle, not merely follow public opinion. The LSDP’s recent retreat on LGBTI rights, exemplified by its absence from the record-breaking Pride event and coupled with its embrace of controversial figures and seemingly contradictory political alliances, represents a missed opportunity for such leadership and a concerning sign for the future of progressive politics in Lithuania.

The party must reconcile its internal contradictions and decide whether it will be a true champion for LGBTI rights or continue to prioritize political expediency over principle. The choices it makes in the coming months, particularly in its campaign for the October 13, 2024 Seimas elections, will be crucial in determining whether it can regain the trust of progressive voters and truly live up to its social democratic ideals. The outcome of these elections may well hinge on the LSDP’s ability to present a coherent and principled stance on LGBTI rights and other progressive issues, and to back up its words with visible, consistent actions.