### Lithuania's Ruling Party Faces Controversy Over Coalition with Antisemitic Leader - The Lithuanian Social Democrats, the ruling party, have decided to maintain their coalition with a junior partner, despite the latter's leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, being convicted of inciting hatred against Jews. This decision comes in the wake of a court ruling that found Žemaitaitis guilty of making antisemitic comments and belittling the Holocaust, raising concerns about the implications for Lithuania's political landscape and societal values. The coalition's stability is now under scrutiny as public sentiment regarding antisemitism grows stronger in the region [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/lithuania-ruling-party-to-stay-in-coalition-with-group-whose-leader-found-guilty-of-hatred-against-jews]. ### Coalition Dynamics and Legal Proceedings 1. **Court Conviction**: On December 4, 2025, a Lithuanian court convicted Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the populist party "Star Nyamunas," for inciting hatred against Jews and minimizing the Holocaust. He was fined €5,000 [https://asiannews.in/lithuanian-court-convicts-leader-of-a-governing-party-of-inciting-hatred-against-jews]. 2. **Ruling Party's Response**: The Social Democrats have opted to continue their coalition with Žemaitaitis's party, despite the conviction, indicating a complex political strategy that prioritizes coalition stability over public backlash [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/lithuania-ruling-party-to-stay-in-coalition-with-group-whose-leader-found-guilty-of-hatred-against-jews]. 3. **Public Reaction**: The decision to maintain the coalition has sparked criticism from various sectors of society, highlighting a growing concern over the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric in Lithuanian politics [https://www.freedom969.com/world-news/leader-of-lithuanian-government-party-found-guilty-of-hatred-against-jews]. ### Evidence of Antisemitism and Legal Outcomes - **Court Findings**: The Vilnius Regional Court found that Žemaitaitis's statements grossly downplayed Nazi Germany's crimes and were made in an offensive manner. The court's ruling reflects a legal acknowledgment of the seriousness of antisemitic hate speech in Lithuania [https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2765081/lithuanian-mp-zemaitaitis-found-guilty-of-antisemitic-hate-speech]. - **Fines and Sentencing**: The fine imposed on Žemaitaitis was significantly lower than what prosecutors sought, which raises questions about the effectiveness of legal measures against hate speech in the country [https://kdhnews.com/news/world/lithuanian-court-convicts-the-leader-of-a-governing-party-of-inciting-hatred-against-jews/article_48a8fd5b-91a2-5049-a921-29251d931270.html]. ### Conclusion: Political Implications and Societal Concerns 1. **Coalition Stability**: The Social Democrats' decision to remain in coalition with a party led by a convicted antisemitic leader poses risks to their political integrity and public trust. 2. **Rising Antisemitism**: The case highlights a troubling trend of antisemitism in Lithuania, which could have broader implications for the country's social cohesion and international reputation. 3. **Future Considerations**: As public sentiment shifts against antisemitism, the ruling party may face increasing pressure to reassess its coalition choices and address the underlying issues of hate speech in its political discourse. In summary, the Lithuanian ruling party's coalition with a leader convicted of antisemitism raises significant concerns about the political climate and societal values in Lithuania, necessitating a careful examination of the implications for future governance and public trust [https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/lithuania-ruling-party-to-stay-in-coalition-with-group-whose-leader-found-guilty-of-hatred-against-jews].