Lithuanian parliament to vote on Kapčiamiesčio training ground amid political resistance

The Lithuanian parliament is set to hold a final vote Thursday on the controversial law establishing a military training ground in Kapčiamiesčio, with opposition leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen accusing some lawmakers of deliberately obstructing the process, LRT.lt reports.

Čmilytė-Nielsen, chair of the opposition Liberal Movement, expressed confidence that approval of the project would resolve long-standing concerns for local residents. “I’m thinking of the community living there, who own property. We will, of course, support the establishment of the Kapčiamiesčio training ground,” she told reporters before the session.

The politician claimed that while the proposal had previously secured enough votes, a group of lawmakers continues to “actively work against” its adoption—not only by voting no but by seeking delays and procedural interruptions. “Given that security and defence depend on both action and timing, these delays are simply causing harm,” she said, suggesting the resistance may be linked to upcoming municipal elections.

Čmilytė-Nielsen argued that opponents in the ruling coalition—particularly from the “Nemuno aušra” and Farmers and Greens factions—have had ample opportunity to raise concerns, including through the Seimas National Security and Defence Committee, where “a great deal of information was provided.” She accused them of employing a “deliberate tactic” to block the project.

Dainius Gaižauskas, a Farmers and Greens MP who previously abstained from voting, reiterated his opposition on Thursday, calling the draft law “unprecedented” among NATO states. He cited unresolved questions about environmental protections—claiming five (not two) nature reserves would be affected—and alleged that Lithuania faces a complaint from Poland under the Espoo Convention over procedural violations. “Three local municipalities have already appealed to the UN Economic Commission for Europe, which has agreed to expedite the case,” Gaižauskas stated.