Lithuanian parliament begins deliberations on Radčenko’s candidacy for business ombudsman role

The Seimas (Lithuanian parliament) has launched deliberations on the candidacy of Aleksandras Radčenko, a legal advisor to the prime minister, for the newly revived position of Seimo kontrolierius (parliamentary ombudsman) focused on small and medium-sized businesses, LRT reports.

Radčenko, proposed by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, will face committee hearings on April 23. If approved, he would serve a five-year term as the third ombudsman in the Seimas, a role reinstated to address grievances related to public services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Presenting his priorities, Radčenko told lawmakers that SMEs “form the backbone of our economy” and pledged to improve their operating environment. He proposed that the ombudsman could take initiative beyond its direct mandate, including active participation in legislative processes. “The ombudsman for small and medium businesses could submit proposals to amend existing laws or assess draft legislation affecting their legal regulation,” he stated.

Radčenko, who holds a master’s degree in law, emphasised his political independence, noting his past advisory roles under leaders of differing political affiliations, including Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, former Seimas Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, and President Gitanas Nausėda. He previously worked in the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economy, and the Government Chancellery’s Legal Department, and was a co-founder of the Polish Discussion Club in Vilnius in 2014.

The position was left vacant after parliament rejected two prior candidates last December. The opposition had criticised Speaker Olekas for insufficient scrutiny of qualifications, including those of social democrat Nerija Stasiulienė, whose candidacy failed in a secret ballot. The ombudsman role is designed to investigate complaints about potential misconduct in public services affecting SMEs.