Lithuanian liberal leader calls family definition referendum “eye-washing” and “dumbing down” the nation

A proposal to hold a consultative referendum on amending Lithuania’s constitution to define family exclusively as a union between a man and a woman has drawn sharp criticism from liberal politician Eugenijus Gentvilas, who dismissed it as “eye-washing” and an attempt to “dumb down” the nation.

The initiative, backed by over 60 lawmakers from various parliamentary factions, seeks to alter Article 38 of the constitution to explicitly state that legal family relations arise only from marriage between a man and a woman, as well as motherhood and fatherhood. The referendum would coincide with the 2027 municipal elections.

During a discussion on LRT’s Dienos tema programme, Ligita Girskienė of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union—one of the proposal’s initiators—argued that the Constitutional Court had overstepped by interpreting the constitution too broadly. She claimed the 1992 constitution, adopted by “the will of the nation,” did not originally intend for same-sex couples to be recognised as families.

“In my view, the nation did not agree to this in 1992,” Girskienė said. “The Constitutional Court’s interpretation may have violated the will of the people. Only the nation itself can decide on such a fundamental constitutional change.”

Gentvilas, however, rejected the premise, stating that society had evolved significantly since 1992. He accused the referendum’s backers of targeting same-sex relationships, noting that last year’s Constitutional Court ruling—affirming that families can take diverse forms—was legally sound.

“Claiming the nation didn’t mean this 34 years ago reveals the true aim: to undermine same-sex couples,” Gentvilas said. “This referendum is not about family—it’s about excluding people.”

The debate follows a 2023 Constitutional Court decision that expanded the legal understanding of family beyond traditional marriage, a ruling conservatives have sought to overturn through public vote.