Vilnius municipality receives permit request for event by controversial Polish politician

Vilnius city municipality has received a request from a controversial Polish politician known for eurosceptic and anti-Ukrainian views to issue a permit for a public event, LRT reports.

Grzegorz Braun, a Polish politician with a history of provocative statements, has applied through his organisation Konfederacja Korony Polskiej (Confederation of the Polish Crown) to hold a gathering on the evening of 1 May near the Adam Mickiewicz monument in Vilnius. The municipality confirmed it had received the request and was consulting with the State Security Department (VSD) before making a decision.

In its response, the municipality stated it was assessing potential threats to public order and state security posed by the event. “We believe it is necessary to evaluate the organisers and possible risks to state or public safety that may arise during their event,” officials wrote. A final decision will follow standard legal procedures unless the VSD provides grounds to refuse the permit.

The VSD confirmed it was conducting an assessment at the request of both the municipality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a response expected next week.

Braun had initially planned to meet residents at the Vilnius Culture and Spirituality Centre, managed by the Franciscan Monastery, but the reservation was cancelled after organisers failed to disclose the political nature of the event. The monastery denied any connection to Braun, stating he had never been invited.

The Konfederacja Korony Polskiej previously announced its participation in Vilnius’s traditional 2 May parade marking the Day of Poles Abroad but did not confirm whether Braun himself would attend. In a Facebook post, the organisation called the cancellation of their event “shocking discrimination” and accused Lithuanian authorities of censorship.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said this week he had no information about Braun’s visit, adding that any potential security threats should be evaluated by the VSD.

Braun, a former Polish MP (2019–2024) and current Member of the European Parliament, is known for radical views, including fierce criticism of the EU, opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, and controversial remarks about Lithuania. In a 2023 post on X (formerly Twitter), he called Lithuania a “small, ugly, anti-Polish, Bismarckian, Anglo-Saxon, and Jewish entity” unworthy of Polish military defence. He has also advocated against “Poland’s Ukrainisation” and opposed support for Ukrainian refugees.