Lithuanian parliament concludes extended spring session

Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas, concluded its extended spring session on Tuesday with a ceremonial singing of the national anthem, LRT reports.

Speaker Juozas Olekas, a Social Democrat, thanked lawmakers for their work, noting that the session had been productive despite differing opinions and lively debates. He highlighted that nearly 60 meetings were held and around 400 legal acts—including nearly 300 laws—were adopted.

“This was truly an intensive period of work. Of course, numbers matter, but what’s most important is that these decisions benefit the people of Lithuania,” Olekas said.

The session was extended due to the formation of a new government led by Social Democratic Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius. This process concluded on Tuesday with the approval of the government’s programme and the swearing-in of cabinet members.

Key decisions during the session included the establishment of the Kapčiamiestis polygon in the Lazdijai district, the extension of national sanctions against Russian and Belarusian citizens, and authorisation for the military to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz. Lawmakers also prioritised public healthcare institutions in funding, eased requirements for basic education, and increased transparency in municipal procurement. The defence procurement threshold for mandatory cooperation with local industry was raised fourfold.

A significant focus was the reform of the governance of Lithuania’s national broadcaster, LRT, with a new version of the LRT law adopted. This sparked a protest in Vilnius’ Cathedral Square, drawing thousands in defence of freedom of speech.

The Seimas also appointed several key officials, including Constitutional Court judges Artūras Drigotas and Tomas Davulis, as well as heads of the Chief Official Ethics Commission, the State Security Department’s oversight body, the Children’s Rights Protection Service, the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson, and the Seimas Controller.

Lawmakers voted on lifting legal immunity for former prime ministers Saulius Skvernelis and Gintautas Paluckas. The session also saw changes in parliamentary membership, with Giedrimas Jeglinskas resigning and Vilija Targamadzė taking his seat, while Angelė Jakavonytė replaced Kazys Starkevičius. The sudden death of liberal MP Jevgenijus Šuklinas in late May prompted a by-election in his Nalšia North constituency, set for November 8.

Under the Constitution, the spring session typically runs from March 10 to June 30 but can be extended. The autumn session will begin on September 10.