Ethics watchdogs to investigate Žemaitaitis’ rhetoric and Vėgėlė’s statements

The Seimas Ethics and Procedures Commission has decided to investigate the rhetoric of Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the “Nemuno aušra” party, as well as the public statements of Seimas member Ignas Vėgėlė, LRT reports.

Žemaitaitis shared a BNS publication on Facebook on June 3, which stated that conservative Vytautas Juozapaitis had used the word “debile” (debiles) during a Culture Committee meeting, violating ethical norms. Žemaitaitis himself filed a complaint with the commission regarding Juozapaitis’ remarks.

In June, the ethics watchdogs concluded that Juozapaitis’ language had violated principles of respect for individuals and the state, as well as decency, exemplarity, and responsibility.

Žemaitaitis, who has frequently drawn the attention of ethics watchdogs, commented on the matter with a Facebook post: “Hey DEBILAI! Pedophiles, traitors to the state, Nazis, friends of terrorists, and other friends of the conservative party! Silence everywhere, no one comments, the court is silent, the court jesters are silent too. Free speech is blooming.”

Last year, the Seimas Ethics and Procedures Commission found that Žemaitaitis had violated the State Politicians’ Code of Conduct eight times.

The commission has also decided to evaluate Vėgėlė’s public statements. Following one of his Facebook posts, Vėgėlė wrote: “It would be better to put those who harm Lithuania and its people on a train. Because of whom Lithuania could become a theater of war. Because of whom distrust in the authorities continues to grow. Corruption is thriving. And then we will live beautifully in Lithuania, agreed.”