Lithuanian MP considers ethics complaint after being called offensive name in committee meeting

The chair of Lithuania’s parliamentary Culture Committee, Kęstutis Vilkauskas, is considering filing a complaint with the Seimas Ethics and Procedures Commission after conservative MP Vytautas Juozapaitis directed an uncensored insult at him during a heated debate, LRT reports.

Vilkauskas told the ELTA news agency on Thursday he would consult with advisors and colleagues before deciding. “I will discuss this further with my team,” he said.

The incident occurred Wednesday as the committee resumed discussions on amendments to the law governing Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT. During the session, Juozapaitis called Vilkauskas a “moron” (Lithuanian: debilas), though he later issued a public apology on Facebook.

Juozapaitis claimed the remark was not personal but an emotional reaction to the committee chair “maliciously blocking” lawmakers’ microphones and limiting their ability to speak. “I sincerely apologise to the public and to committee chair Kęstutis Vilkauskas,” he wrote, stressing the comment was directed at the situation, not the individual.

Vilkauskas rejected that explanation, stating the insult was clearly aimed at him. “I’m glad he apologised, but this was said publicly, and such degrading remarks cause serious moral harm,” the Social Democrat said.

The clash came amid opposition criticism that Vilkauskas had unilaterally decided to hold the meeting remotely. Lawmakers failed to review all proposed amendments during the session, which began in the morning and adjourned at 17:00. The committee is set to reconvene Friday.

The contested LRT law amendments, drafted by a working group appointed by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, would establish a new Governing Board for the broadcaster, alter the composition of its Council, and introduce stricter rules for dismissing the director general. They would also prohibit other media outlets from operating on LRT’s channels or website without Council approval, while requiring individuals affiliated with external media to disclose conflicts of interest.

The Venice Commission has criticised the proposed changes for being rushed. Protests under the slogan “Hands off free speech! We won’t surrender” have drawn around 10,000 participants, with another demonstration planned this week at Vilnius Cathedral Square. The amendments follow a failed attempt last December to simplify the procedure for dismissing LRT’s director general.