Lithuanian Democrats undecided on supporting opposition’s constitutional court appeal over LRT amendments

Virginijus Sinkevičius, the acting leader of Lithuania’s Democratic Party, has not confirmed whether his party will support the opposition’s plan to appeal to the Constitutional Court over recent amendments to the law governing the national broadcaster LRT, LRT reports.

Sinkevičius stated that the decision rests with the party’s parliamentary group. “I don’t know, I haven’t seen the arguments. Whether to sign or not is for the faction to decide,” he told Žinių radijas. He added that any decisions must align with constitutional boundaries and expressed hope that Lithuania would not return to a time when the Constitution, the Constitutional Court, and judges were questioned, as this would undermine the foundations of the state.

A new coalition agreement draft, prepared by the Social Democrats, Democrats “For Lithuania,” and the “Homeland Union,” no longer includes provisions on LRT. The previous coalition agreement among the Social Democrats, the “Homeland Union,” and the “Farmers and Greens” had stipulated that LRT should “ensure freedom of speech and diversity of opinion in the public broadcaster’s activities.”

Last week, President Gitanas Nausėda signed the LRT amendments into law. The Journalists’ Professional Association had urged the president to veto the changes. Meanwhile, opposition liberals and conservatives have not abandoned plans to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court.

The bill was initially prepared by a working group led by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and later amended by the Seimas Culture Committee. The new law defines LRT’s mission, establishes its Board, and introduces changes to its Council, including the creation of a Council office. Under the amendments, the LRT director general can be dismissed before the end of their term by a two-thirds majority of the Council if they no longer meet the reputation requirements or commit a gross violation of duties. The Council will decide whether the vote on dismissal is open or closed. Previously, the law required an open vote.

Most provisions of the amendments will take effect in a few years, but the new procedure for dismissing the LRT director general came into force immediately upon the law’s signing.