Lithuanian opposition demands transparency on LRT law responses sent to Venice Commission

A group of opposition lawmakers has called on the speaker of Lithuania’s parliament to disclose the government’s responses to the Venice Commission regarding proposed amendments to the law governing the national broadcaster LRT, LRT reports.

The request, signed by nine MPs from the conservative Homeland Union and liberal Freedom Party, demands that parliament be formally presented with the replies sent to the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, which had reviewed the draft law and issued preliminary conclusions. The Commission, which assesses legal reforms for compliance with democratic standards, had urged further refinement of the proposal, particularly on provisions related to the dismissal of LRT’s director-general.

In their letter to Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, the lawmakers state that during a May 6 meeting of the Culture Committee, its chair, Kęstutis Vilkauskas, confirmed that Olekas had prepared responses on behalf of the Seimas—but these were never shared with MPs. The opposition now demands that the responses be read aloud in the next plenary session and that Olekas explain why the Culture Committee, which typically handles such matters, was not tasked with drafting the reply.

The controversy follows months of protests over the ruling coalition’s push to simplify procedures for dismissing LRT’s leadership. The Venice Commission had previously flagged concerns that the changes could undermine the broadcaster’s independence. The current draft law was revised after an earlier attempt to fast-track amendments in December 2025 sparked public backlash.

Signatories to the letter include conservative MPs Vytautas Juozapaitis, Jurgis Razma, and former prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė, as well as liberal Simonas Kairys and social democrat Rima Baškienė.