Lithuania divided over renaming Taiwanese office to improve China relations, poll shows

A majority of Lithuanians—58%—support renaming the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius to the Taipei Representative Office in an effort to improve relations with China, according to a new public opinion poll commissioned by LRT.

The survey, conducted by Baltijos tyrimai, reveals a pragmatic shift in public attitudes, with economic and security concerns outweighing ideological positions. Only 25% of respondents oppose the name change, while 8% strongly oppose it. Nearly one-fifth (19%) remain undecided.

Support for the change is lower among urban residents, those with higher education, and higher-income earners. Meanwhile, voters of the conservative Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) are evenly split—45% in favor, 45% against—with 10% undecided, highlighting an unusual division within the party’s traditionally pro-Taiwan base.

Conservative voters split as government signals policy shift

The poll follows recent statements by Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė (Social Democratic Party), who criticized Lithuania’s 2021 decision to open the Taiwanese office under its current name as a miscalculation that isolated the country from EU and US positions. Her remarks, which drew approval from China, contrast with the previous conservative government’s stance.

Analysts note the split among TS-LKD voters reflects broader societal polarization. Raigirdas Boruta, a senior political analyst at STRATA, described the issue as “the most politically sensitive and polarizing” within the conservative electorate, where pragmatic considerations clash with principled foreign policy positions.

Lithuania’s 2021 move—opening the Taiwanese office and withdrawing from China’s 17+1 investment forum—triggered Beijing’s criticism and economic sanctions, including trade restrictions. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes official diplomatic ties with the island.

The poll suggests public opinion may now align with the current government’s potential policy reversal, though experts caution that the conservative electorate’s division could complicate any decisive shift.