Lithuanian parliamentary committee seeks expert review of advisory referendum on family definition

A Lithuanian parliamentary committee has requested legal and social assessments from experts on a proposed advisory referendum to define family in the constitution as a union exclusively between a man and a woman, public broadcaster LRT reports.

The Seimas Legal Affairs Committee on Tuesday called on specialists from Vilnius University, Mykolas Romeris University, Vytauto Didžiojo University, and the Lithuanian Social Research Centre to evaluate the potential impact of the referendum, planned to coincide with next year’s municipal elections.

Experts must address four key questions: the referendum’s effect on the legal system and social environment, its compliance with international and EU legal obligations, potential risks if dissatisfied parties appeal to international courts, and broader consequences of the vote. Responses are due within 30 working days.

The draft proposal, initially backed by lawmakers in early April, would ask voters whether the constitution should explicitly state that family legal relations arise only from marriage between a man and a woman, parenthood, and maternity. Voters would choose between “Yes” or “No.”

Currently, Article 38 of the constitution defines family as the foundation of society and the state, protected alongside motherhood, fatherhood, and childhood, with marriage described as a free union between a man and a woman. However, the Constitutional Court has ruled that the constitutional concept of family is not limited solely to marriage.

The Seimas Legal Department has warned that the referendum proposal raises “serious doubts” about adherence to constitutional principles, including the rule of law and responsible governance, and ignores “social reality.” The Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson, Birutė Sabatauskaitė, has also suggested potential conflicts with the constitution.

Critics, including the Central Electoral Commission, note that holding the referendum alongside municipal elections would disenfranchise Lithuanian citizens living abroad, as current laws do not permit their participation in referendums. The ruling Social Democratic Party’s leader, Mindaugas Sinkevičius, acknowledged the vote could boost turnout but would not resolve demographic issues.

Under Lithuanian law, a referendum proposal requires support from at least one-quarter of parliamentarians. The advisory referendum would be valid only if more than half of eligible voters participate. Municipal elections are scheduled for February or March 2027.