Nausėda urges Lithuanians to defend democracy on Constitution Day

President Gitanas Nausėda congratulated Lithuanians, the framers of the Constitution and current and former Constitutional Court judges on Constitution Day, LRT reported, citing a statement from the presidential office.

Nausėda said that by adopting the Constitution 34 years ago, the Lithuanian people chose to build an independent democratic republic based on the rule of law, separation of powers and respect for human rights and freedoms. He said those values are now an integral part of the state and the lives of its citizens.

“Over more than three decades, we have built a state in which the values enshrined in the Constitution have become the foundation of our common life. But democracy and people’s right to shape their own future face major challenges today,” the president said. He added that Lithuania’s eastern neighbour seeks to undermine the established world order and reject principles upheld by democratic countries’ constitutions.

Nausėda said freedom, independence and other constitutional values cannot be taken for granted. Protecting and nurturing them, he said, depends on every citizen’s responsibility, daily actions and readiness to defend the foundations of a democratic state.

He wished Lithuanians wisdom to protect what they have built, courage to defend democracy and unity in creating a country where everyone can live well.

At the president’s initiative, the Constitution was published in plain language and translated into Lithuanian Sign Language in 2023. Last year, he initiated a Braille edition to make the text accessible to people with visual impairments.