Lithuanian parliament advances LRT law amendments ahead of final vote

The Lithuanian parliament has moved a step closer to adopting amendments to the law governing public broadcaster LRT, with both the ruling coalition and opposition factions preparing last-minute proposals before the final vote, LRT reports.

On Thursday, lawmakers debated the draft amendments for most of the day, approving them in a preliminary vote. The bill now faces one final reading before adoption, during which additional proposals may still be submitted.

Opposition members questioned the timing of the reforms, noting that even Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas participated in the vote. Seimas Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen clarified that ministers may perform their duties from any location and congratulated colleagues after the vote.

Under the Culture Committee’s approved version, the LRT Council would expand from 12 to 15 members, with plans to establish a supporting bureau and a board. Currently, the Council can dismiss the director-general only through an open vote, but the amendments would allow secret balloting at the Council’s discretion.

The opposition submitted a dissenting opinion, proposing to reduce the Council from 12 to 11 members—cutting the number of politically appointed representatives. Currently, the Seimas and the president each appoint four members; the opposition suggests reducing this to two each.

Democrat faction member Rima Baškienė claimed the reforms primarily target the dismissal of LRT’s director-general, while Social Democrat Indrė Kižienė denied this, stating the changes stem from a working group’s broader review of the law.

Liberal Movement MP Simonas Kairys criticised the retroactive application of term limits for cultural sector leaders, calling it “disrespectful to the law.” Ruling coalition members did not publicly explain their motives, though “Nemuno Aušra” faction MP Tadas Sadauskis cited recommendations from the Venice Commission and the need to address governance issues.

The final vote is expected in the coming days, with further amendments still possible.