Lithuanian ethics watchdog urges MP Kęstutis Vilkauskas to declare lobbying activity

The Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) has called on Seimas Culture Committee Chairman Kęstutis Vilkauskas to declare lobbying activity following an undisclosed meeting with the Internet Media Association (IŽA), LRT reports.

VTEK Chairman Gediminas Sakalauskas confirmed the commission unanimously decided to issue a formal recommendation rather than launch an immediate investigation. “This means we are advising the MP to declare the lobbying influence he experienced from the association,” Sakalauskas told BNS. “If he fails to do so, VTEK will have the right to initiate an investigation.”

The association had filed a lobbying declaration on March 16 related to proposed amendments to the LRT law. Under Lithuanian lobbying regulations, politicians must reciprocally declare any lobbying influence within seven calendar days of an organisation’s declaration. “In this case, since no declaration was made, we have activated the recommendation procedure,” Sakalauskas explained.

Vilkauskas admitted to BNS that he had forgotten to declare the meeting but noted he had requested the association file its own declaration. “IŽA participated in the working group, and I personally asked them to declare the March 16 meeting,” he said. “They declared it, but my part is missing.”

The Seimas is currently debating a draft law, prepared by a parliamentary working group, that would amend LRT’s governance structure. Critics argue the changes would politicise the public broadcaster and threaten freedom of speech, while proponents claim they aim to improve governance following a State Audit Office review.