Lithuanian Farmers and Greens leader calls criticism of Tamašunienė a compliment

The leader of the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, Aurelijus Veryga, has described calls from 33 human rights organisations not to reappoint Rita Tamašunienė as justice minister in the new coalition 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,” Veryga wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

The open letter, supported by 33 organisations, accuses Tamašunienė of failing to implement court rulings that require her ministry to register same-sex partnerships. As reported by BNS, the ministry has 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 law.

“In this case, when the legal protection of the family as defined in the Constitution is particularly important to us, the attempt to remove a politician who cares about this protection—indeed, a female politician—we accept 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 as part of Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė’s XX Government, 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 Freedom Party from power, negotiations began on a new majority with the Democrats, while retaining the Farmers and Greens in the coalition. A change in the ruling majority will also lead to a government reshuffle.