Lithuanian opposition starts collecting signatures for Constitutional Court appeal on government legitimacy

The opposition factions of Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) and the Liberal Movement in the Seimas have begun collecting signatures for an appeal to the Constitutional Court (KT) regarding the legitimacy of Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius’ government, LRT reports.

The appeal asks the Constitutional Court to assess whether the Seimas resolution approving the 21st government’s programme, led by Sinkevičius, complies with the Constitution. The opposition argues that the procedure began before the official confirmation of the government’s composition.

“The appeal highlights a chronological absurdity: the 21st government’s programme was registered with the Seimas Secretariat on July 3, 2026, submitted by ‘the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, appointed Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius.’ However, the president confirmed the government’s composition by decree only a few days later, on July 7. This means the constitutional procedure for submitting the programme began in the name of a government that did not yet exist,” the opposition stated.

Initiators of the appeal also question the legality of the programme’s registration, as Sinkevičius, then mayor of Jonava, allegedly had no authority to register a government programme. They urge the Constitutional Court to clarify which entities are permitted to register such programmes under the Seimas Statute.

The appeal requests the Court to rule that the Seimas resolution on Sinkevičius’ government programme violates several constitutional articles and the principles of a legal state and accountable governance. It also asks for an evaluation of whether Article 194 of the Seimas Statute, due to its legal gaps, aligns with the Constitution.

Seimas members Giedrė Balčytytė, Jurgis Razma, and Vitalijus Gailius are designated as representatives in the Constitutional Court proceedings. The appeal requires 29 signatures from Seimas members.

Public discussions on the issue began after Vilnius University law professor Egidijus Kūris noted that Sinkevičius, then appointed prime minister, submitted the government programme before the cabinet’s confirmation. The programme was registered in the Seimas on July 3, while President Gitanas Nausėda signed the decree confirming the 21st government’s composition on July 6.

Sinkevičius has stated that the government programme was presented at the Seimas session only after the president’s decree was signed. Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) chairman claimed the opposition is manipulating concepts.