Lithuanian Farmers party leader calls requests to exclude Tamašunienė from minister post a compliment

Aurelijus Veryga, leader of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, has described calls from a dozen human rights organisations to exclude current Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė from a new coalition government as a “compliment” and encouragement for her to continue her work.

“I cannot think of a better recommendation for the minister than this letter and the list of signatories attached to it,” Veryga wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

A public letter, supported by 33 organisations, claims that Tamašunienė is failing to implement rulings by Lithuanian courts that require her ministry to register same-sex partnerships. As reported by BNS, the ministry has so far appealed at least four such rulings, asking courts to assess whether lower-instance courts exceeded their authority in recognising partnerships before parliament adopts a regulating legal act.

“In this case, when the legal protection of the traditional family, as enshrined in the Constitution, is particularly important to us, the attempt to remove a politician—and in this case, a female politician—who cares about this protection, we accept it as a great compliment and encouragement to ensure that the minister and her team continue their work,” Veryga stated.

Tamašunienė began her term as Justice Minister in September last year, alongside Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė’s 20th Government. She was nominated by the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union faction.

Following the Social Democrats’ decision last week to leave the ruling coalition, removing the “Nemuno Aušra” party, negotiations began on forming a new majority with the Democrats, while keeping the Farmers party in the coalition. A change in the ruling majority will also lead to a government reshuffle.