Lithuanian parliament delays debate on key amendments to national broadcaster law

A portion of the proposed amendments to Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT will be postponed to next week’s session of the parliamentary Culture Committee, following a contentious debate on Wednesday.

The committee’s chairman, Kęstutis Vilkauskas, proposed delaying consideration of proposals submitted by conservative MPs Vytautas Juozapaitis, Daiva Ulbinaitė, Jurgis Razma, and Geidrė Balčytytė, as well as liberal MP Simonas Kairys. The latter strongly opposed the move, accusing the committee of “holding members hostage” by rescheduling discussions without notice.

“I reserved my entire afternoon to present my proposals, and now you say, ‘No, next Wednesday’,” Kairys said. “Can’t you stop treating us and our colleagues like prisoners? We can’t do any parliamentary work because if sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, every other day must be reserved for LRT issues.”

Vilkauskas defended the delay, citing the sensitivity of one amendment—concerning the dismissal of LRT’s director general—as a reason to avoid escalating tensions. “I propose not to sharpen these conflicts, to discuss and find better, more unified solutions,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė had expressed a similar stance.

Kairys dismissed the reference to the prime minister, arguing that neither she nor the Culture Ministry had a substantive position on the amendments. Despite the dispute, the committee voted to postpone the proposals.

MEPs warn of reputational risks

European Parliament members Petras Auštrevičius and Rasa Juknevičienė attended the session, urging caution. Auštrevičius noted that the current draft differs from the initial version, meaning lawmakers are advancing changes without addressing concerns raised by the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional law.

“Is it meaningful to proceed without responding to the Venice Commission, knowing their upcoming assessment will be critical of Lithuania?” he asked. “We risk losing our reputation. In eight months, when Lithuania assumes the EU presidency, this will be the first question every Lithuanian representative faces—not our economic achievements, but the LRT amendments.”

Auštrevičius called for a return to dialogue with the Venice Commission and suggested briefing the European Parliament on the process, given its “serious questions and doubts.” Meanwhile, Juknevičienė urged the committee to reject the draft law outright, arguing it violates Lithuania’s constitution, EU law, and media freedom standards.

Vilkauskas responded that the committee aims to receive the Venice Commission’s opinion before finalising its position.