Parties split over Nausėda’s defence funding pact proposal

Lithuanian politicians broadly support President Gitanas Nausėda’s call for a long-term agreement on defence funding after 2030, but disagree on whether it should set only funding levels or also define future military capabilities, LRT reported.

State Controller Irena Segalovičienė has proposed enshrining continued defence spending of more than 5 percent of gross domestic product, while politicians have offered differing views on the initiative.

Decisions should reflect military needs

Agnė Širinskienė, leader of the ruling Democratic faction For Lithuania in the Seimas, told ELTA that the party had not yet discussed the issue but would take part in talks.

She said defence funding should not be limited to setting a percentage of GDP.

“Defence funding is certainly not just bare numbers. First there is the need, and only then is it calculated how much this will cost the state and taxpayers,” Širinskienė said.

Parties want clarity on spending

Robertas Puchovičius, deputy leader of the ruling Nemunas Dawn faction in the Seimas, said it was important to establish clearly how additional funds would be used before deciding on long-term defence financing.

“Our question will be where that money will be used and what purposes it will serve. Once we hear all the answers, we will see,” he told ELTA.

According to Puchovičius, questions remain over priorities, including whether investment should first go towards infrastructure such as training grounds or towards strengthening air defence. He said the faction and party would gather information before making a decision.

Agreement should cover capabilities

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, leader of the opposition Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats, said an agreement on continued defence funding was essential. He noted that his party had proposed bringing political forces together six months ago.

Kasčiūnas said Lithuania would not be able to reduce defence funding two or three times after 2030 because the division would have to be maintained, weapons modernised and ammunition stocks secured.

He said parties should agree not only on the level of funding but also on the military capabilities to be developed in the future.

“The agreement must not be only about money, but also about where we will invest and what capability we want to create,” Kasčiūnas said.

Some question practical value

Aurelijus Veryga, leader of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, took a more cautious view of the initiative. He said there was currently no strong need for a new agreement because there was practically no political dispute over increased defence funding.

“It would be symbolically nice if we all agreed, but pragmatically such a document would not prevent different decisions from being made in the future,” Veryga told Žinių radijas.

He noted that even laws did not establish specific funding percentages, because doing so could limit the government’s ability to respond flexibly to changing circumstances.

Agreement needs updating

Opposition Liberal Movement leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said the parliamentary parties’ 2022 agreement on defence should be updated as soon as possible because it no longer reflected the changing security environment.