Social democrat calls on Vilnius mayor and police to assess legality of bulldozer parked near parliament

A member of parliament from Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party has formally requested that Vilnius city authorities and police evaluate whether a tracked bulldozer left by protesters near the Seimas (parliament) building complies with public order and traffic regulations, LRT reports.

Indrė Kižienė, addressing both the mayor of Vilnius and the police commissioner general, questioned the legality of the heavy machinery’s prolonged presence on Gynėjų Street, where it has stood since April 16—over a month—blocking multiple parking spaces in a paid zone. The vehicle also features a loudspeaker broadcasting messages, which Kižienė argues disrupts nearby residents and risks violating public order.

In her inquiry, Kižienė asked whether the bulldozer’s placement had received special municipal permits, whether its use as a protest tool was coordinated under event regulations, and whether the required local parking fees had been paid—including details on who covered the costs and the total amount collected.

She urged authorities to identify any violations and take appropriate action, notifying the public of their decisions through established legal procedures.

The bulldozer appeared amid ongoing protests against proposed amendments to the law governing Lithuania’s national broadcaster, LRT. Critics argue the changes—including the introduction of a governing board, alterations to the council’s composition, and simplified dismissal procedures for the director general—could undermine the broadcaster’s independence. The parliamentary Culture Committee began reviewing the amendments in mid-April, following a fast-track attempt in December 2025 that ultimately stalled.