Lithuanian opposition party seeks to retain Audit Committee leadership

The opposition Nemuno aušra party intends to retain leadership of the Seimas Audit Committee, while the ruling coalition’s Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) and liberals aim to take it over, LRT reports.

Under current rules, the opposition must hold either the chair or deputy chair position in the committee. The committee is currently led by Nemuno aušra MP Artūras Skardžius, a former coalition member now in opposition.

Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of Nemuno aušra, stated: “We have become the opposition, so the opportunity arises [to claim the chair]. We will pursue it. Skardžius has worked in the committee, he is a member, so he should remain. I don’t think anyone should change anything. We will defend our position.”

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, senior member of the TS-LKD faction, expressed confidence that the ruling coalition would allow the opposition to decide on the committee’s leadership but confirmed his party’s interest in the role. “They are probably doing some political calculations. They might try to tie some party to a position. It would probably be easier to tie Nemuno aušra, but the question is whether it will be Skardžius or someone else,” he said.

Conservative Jurgis Razma currently serves as deputy chair and, according to Kasčiūnas, “could do an excellent job as chair.”

Liberal leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen acknowledged the logic of transferring committee leadership to the opposition but doubted Skardžius would step down. “It would be proper that, if the Audit Committee goes to the opposition this time, at least the same person who just left the position should not be chair again. But I suspect Artūras Skardžius will hold on to this position very firmly,” she said.

The Audit Committee currently includes seven members: three social democrats, and one each from the conservatives, Nemuno aušra, the Mixed Group of Seimas Members, and the liberals.