Lithuania’s next government wants to patch things up with China. But is it even possible?
The Social Democrats, who came first in last month’s election, have said they want to ‘normalise’ ties with Beijing after a row over Taiwan
For years, Lithuania has been one of Beijing’s most vociferous critics in Europe as it sought to build close ties with Taiwan.
But with a new government in the offing, there are signs that the Baltic state might be looking to mend ties with the world’s second largest economy – even if observers believe the relationship is beyond repair.
Gintautas Paluckas, the candidate the Social Democratic Party want to make prime minister if it can form a coalition after coming first in last month’s election, has said he wants to “normalise” ties.
“Having normal relations is certainly an aspiration because the EU – even though relations with China will not be rosy, they will argue about the economy, about tariffs, about protectionist measures [...] – but the EU is trying to maintain diplomatic relations,” Paluckas told national broadcaster LRT.
He described the previous centre-right government’s decision to allow a “Taiwanese Representative Office” to be opened in 2021 as a “grave diplomatic mistake”, but has stopped short of saying that he would ask Taipei to rename it.
“Let’s not speculate, we don’t know what the Chinese will ask for. We don’t know the real situation,” Paluckas told LRT.
