Lithuanians’ participation in protests and rallies doubled last year, study finds

A new study reveals that the share of Lithuanians taking part in protests, demonstrations, and solidarity actions doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year, with civic engagement reaching its highest level in years, LRT reports.

The Civic Power Index (PGI), published Tuesday by the Civic Society Institute, shows that 12% of Lithuanians participated in protests, rallies, or pickets last year—twice the 2024 figure. The overall index score rose by 1.7 points to 38.5 out of 100, driven by growing public trust in the influence of non-governmental and community organisations on key decisions.

Political scientist Ieva Petronytė-Urbonavičienė of Vilnius University attributed the surge to a shift from electoral engagement in 2024 to “a year of protests” in 2025. “Nearly one in ten people reported taking part in such activities last year—these were quite visible protests,” she noted.

The study also found increased participation in online petitions (up 4 percentage points to 26%) and politically or morally motivated consumer choices, such as boycotts (19%) or selective purchasing (21%).

Teachers’ protests over working conditions in 2025 received the strongest public support, backed by 68% of respondents. Actions against proposed changes to public broadcaster LRT’s legal status and cultural community initiatives also gained majority approval (52% and 44%, respectively). In contrast, protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza drew more cautious responses, with 27% of respondents undecided and 19% citing insufficient information. LGBT Pride marches faced the most opposition, with nearly half of those surveyed disapproving and only around 10% expressing support.

Historical comparisons show varying levels of approval for past protests: 58% supported Ukraine solidarity actions in 2022 and farmers’ protests in 2024, while COVID-19 policy demonstrations and the “Great Family Defence March” faced stronger opposition, with 27% and 24% disapproval rates, respectively.

The PGI, measured since 2007, tracks public interest in civic affairs, participation levels, and perceptions of civic influence. The 2025 survey, conducted by Vilmorus Research Centre in December, included 1,000 Lithuanian residents.