Lithuanian liberals propose abolishing newly formed Seimas energy committee

The opposition Liberal Movement in Lithuania’s parliament has proposed dismantling the newly established Energy and Sustainable Development Committee, calling it a “political deal” between former coalition partners, LRT reports.

Liberal leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen argued the committee was created solely to secure a leadership position for an active member of the fuel retail business from the now-dissolved coalition. “When the ruling Social Democrats broke their alliance with Nemuno aušra, the artificial committee that formalised their union should be abolished too,” she stated.

Liberal MP Eugenijus Gentvilas claimed the previous Energy and Sustainable Development commission—a less formal parliamentary body—had functioned more effectively. “Energy policy spans economics, environmental protection, infrastructure, and national security. Concentrating all this in one committee is artificial,” he said, adding that scrapping the committee would also eliminate its administrative office, saving state funds.

The committee was formed in mid-April with Nemuno aušra representative Aidas Gedvilas as chair, despite opposition objections that a party opposing strategic energy projects should not lead the body. During one of its first sessions, the committee paused deliberations on proposed amendments allowing fuel prices to change twice daily—functions transferred from the Economy and Environmental Protection committees.