Lithuanian parliament rejects government bid for broader authority over flag displays

The Lithuanian parliament has rejected a government proposal to grant the cabinet broader powers to decide when foreign flags can be displayed alongside the national flag, LRT reports.

Lawmakers returned the draft amendments to the Law on the State Flag and Other Flags to the government for revision last week. The proposed changes would have allowed the government to establish rules for raising foreign flags at state and municipal institutions, considering Lithuania’s foreign policy, national security interests, and diplomatic relations.

Conservative MP Arvydas Anušauskas criticised the initiative as politically motivated, calling it “a helping hand to Ignotas [Adomavičius] for removing the Ukrainian flag” – a reference to the removal of Ukraine’s flag from the Culture Ministry after far-right politician Ignotas Adomavičius became minister. “Does this mean the Ukrainian flag behind you, and these small Ukrainian and Polish flags on our desks, will have to be taken down?” asked conservative Daiva Ulbinaitė.

Ukraine’s flag has been displayed alongside Lithuania’s since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 as a gesture of solidarity. Anušauskas argued the proposed regulations were unjustified, stating: “Ukraine is defending not only itself but also Lithuania and Europe from the ordeal of war. There is no new regulation of the Lithuanian flag’s use here—this is clearly targeted.”

Under current law, foreign flags may be raised at institutions during official visits, special missions, commemorative days, or international events in line with diplomatic protocol. The rejected amendments would have also simplified procedures for permanently displaying EU and NATO flags alongside Lithuania’s.

Liberal MP Edita Rudelienė questioned whether the changes would prevent Ukrainian flags from being raised in municipalities or parliament when no official delegations are present. She also expressed concern that Polish flags in areas with national minorities, such as Šalčininkai and Vilnius district, could be affected: “I understand this proposal is aimed at people in Vilnius and Šalčininkai districts who often raise Poland’s flag—a friendly neighbour’s flag—during its national holidays. What has Poland done to deserve this from our government?”

The government had also proposed regulating the display of flags by public legal entities on occasions linked to their activities, as defined in the Law on Commemorative Days.