Lithuanian MPs refer case of potential procedural abuse to Constitutional Court

Thirty-three members of the Lithuanian parliament have filed a petition with the Constitutional Court, asking it to assess whether a provision in the Seimas Statute allowing committee meetings to be held during plenary sessions violates the country’s constitution, LRT reports.

The MPs argue that the legal loophole has been exploited by the ruling majority to manipulate the legislative process and deliberately exclude opposition representatives from key votes.

At issue is a Statute rule stating that “committee meetings during Seimas sessions may be held only with the Seimas’ consent.” The petitioners note that this provision requires no criteria, justification, or safeguards for its application.

According to the petition, the lack of clear guidelines contradicts constitutional principles, including the free mandate of MPs, equality, accountable governance, the rule of law, and the parliamentary work order ensuring uninterrupted participation in Seimas activities.

Giedrė Balčytytė, the conservative MP who initiated the petition, said the current regulation creates conditions for systematic abuse. “An absurd and unconstitutional situation is created where an MP is forced to choose between fulfilling their duty in a plenary session and voting on laws, or attending their committee meeting, which the ruling majority has decided to hold at the same time,” she said.

As a clear example of abuse, the MPs cite events on April 14 of this year, when the ruling majority expedited amendments to the law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) by approving an extraordinary meeting of the Culture Committee. This forced some MPs to leave the plenary hall, where votes on important legal acts related to justice and national security were taking place.

Balčytytė warned that such practices pose a direct threat to the rule of law. “The April case with the Culture Committee, rushed through despite critical opinions from the Venice Commission, showed that the Statute’s loophole is being used as a convenient tool to exclude opposition votes in the plenary session. This is a dangerous precedent, indicating a disregard for the principles of accountable governance,” she said.

The MPs hope the Constitutional Court’s ruling will prevent further procedural abuse.