Lithuanian Seimas forms group to steer EU Council presidency

Lithuania’s parliament has formed a political steering group to coordinate key decisions on its parliamentary programme for the country’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, LRT reported Friday.

The Seimas Board established the group to oversee political priorities, event planning, communications and representation. It will be chaired by Rasa Budbergytė, a deputy speaker of parliament and chair of its European Affairs Committee.

Budbergytė said that, with fewer than 100 days until the presidency begins, the group would bring together leaders of parliamentary committees involved in organising events. She said it would help members share information and communicate more effectively with the public.

The group will also include deputy speaker Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, who coordinates Lithuania’s presidency events, and the chairs of eight parliamentary committees: Health Affairs; Foreign Affairs; Economics and Innovation; Law and Law Enforcement; National Security and Defence; Budget and Finance; Education and Science; and Social Affairs and Labour. The Seimas chancellor, Algirdas Stončaitis, will attend its meetings, and other officials may be invited.

The group will decide on political priorities, event topics and programmes, speakers and guests, communications, publicity and protocol. If a decision requires approval by the Seimas Board, the group can submit proposals to it.

Parliamentary events related to Lithuania’s EU Council presidency are scheduled for January to June 2027. Representatives of EU national parliaments and the European Parliament are expected to meet at the Seimas during that period.