Justice Ministry says ethics commission should rule on Matjošaitytė

Lithuania’s Justice Ministry says the Chief Official Ethics Commission should assess the situation involving Central Electoral Commission member Laura Matjošaitytė before any decision is made on her suitability for the post, LRT reported.

Before joining the Central Electoral Commission, Matjošaitytė advised the political party Nemuno Aušra on membership fees. She later took part in decisions concerning the party without recusing herself.

Central Electoral Commission chair Lina Petronienė has also said that Nemuno Aušra did not register any expenses for legal services provided by Matjošaitytė.

Matjošaitytė was delegated to the Central Electoral Commission by then-Justice Minister Rimantas Mockus, who was delegated by Nemuno Aušra. LRT.lt was unable to reach Mockus.

Current Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė, who was delegated by the faction of the Farmers and Greens Union and the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, has refrained from taking immediate action.

According to the ministry, the Chief Official Ethics Commission should first investigate any possible violations by Matjošaitytė. Only if the commission establishes violations involving the declaration of private interests or the reconciliation of public and private interests would the justice minister decide on further legal action.

The ministry said it had not received any official information about the situation.

Matjošaitytė previously headed the Central Electoral Commission. She has also been appointed to the LRT Council.