LRT amendments face potential constitutional challenge as coalition talks continue

Acting leader of the Democratic Party Virginijus Sinkevičius has declined to say whether his party will support opposition plans to refer recent amendments to the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) to the Constitutional Court, stating the decision rests with the party’s faction.

“I don’t know, I haven’t seen the arguments. Whether to sign or not to sign is for the faction to decide,” Sinkevičius told Žinių Radijas on Tuesday. He added that any decisions must comply with the Constitution, expressing hope that Lithuania would not return to a time when “the Constitution, the Constitutional Court, and judges are questioned, because that is questioning the foundations of the state.”

The draft coalition agreement between the Social Democrats, the 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 “Freedom Party” 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, despite calls from the Journalists’ Professional Association to veto them. Opposition liberals and conservatives have not abandoned plans to challenge the law at the Constitutional Court.

The bill was prepared by a working group led by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and later amended by the Seimas Culture Committee. Key changes include a definition of LRT’s mission, the establishment of a Board and its bureau, and reforms to the Council. Under the new law, 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 reputation requirements or commit a gross violation of duties. The Council will decide whether such votes are held openly or in secret, whereas current law requires an open vote.

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