Sinica: legal immigration is the biggest problem and challenge

Legal immigration is the biggest problem and challenge facing Lithuania, according to Vytautas Sinica, leader of the National Union party, as reported by LRT and ELTA.

Sinica, a vocal critic of immigration, acknowledges concerns that his party could become a single-issue movement but insists its primary achievement is sparking broader public debate on immigration’s impact on the state.

“I fear this and always strive for balance, to include other issues. But in principle, today all politicians and parties in Lithuania should first consider the interests and prospects of the state’s survival,” he told ELTA.

He identifies two existential threats to Lithuania: Russia, whose danger is widely recognised, and demographic decline. The latter has two aspects—low birth rates and immigration. Sinica warns that unchecked immigration could eventually replace the native population with foreigners from different cultures, a concern he claims no other party addresses as openly as the National Union.

Sinica also criticises the Conservative Party, led by Laurynas Kasčiūnas, for its stance on immigration. While Kasčiūnas opposes immigration, Sinica argues that his party previously enabled mass immigration and has not taken responsibility for it.

“The National Union has already done a great service to Lithuania by making this a significant public issue,” Sinica added.

When asked whether legal or illegal immigration poses the greater threat, Sinica emphasised that legal immigration is the primary concern. He noted that Lithuania has faced minimal illegal migration, with only a few thousand cases in 2021 before stricter controls were introduced. However, he highlighted the arrival of around 160,000 additional foreigners during Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė’s term as a far more significant shift.

Such rapid demographic changes, he argues, alter public perceptions of security and cultural identity, particularly in major cities. While the current numbers are manageable, Sinica warns that continuing this trend for another term could lead to irreversible consequences.

He advocates for proactive measures, such as reducing residency permits, to curb legal immigration before it becomes unmanageable. Though Lithuania’s quota system for foreign workers is often exceeded—with 27,000 permits issued against a 24,000 target this year—Sinica remains critical of its effectiveness.