Lithuania: Thousands protest against populist control of Culture Ministry

Thousands of people in Lithuania protested on 5 October 2025 against the new government’s move to hand control of the Ministry of Culture to the far-right populist party, Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), BNS reports. The protest manifesto urged citizens to defend culture, democracy, and freedom of expression. Cultural institutions across the country played Lithuanian composer…

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Lithuania: Smuggler balloons from Belarus disrupt flights at Vilnius Airport

Smuggler balloons from Belarus disrupted flights at Lithuania’s Vilnius International Airport (VIA) overnight on 4 October 2025, LRT reports. The National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC) reported that 25 meteorological balloons, most likely carrying smuggled cigarettes, entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus. State-run airport operator Lietuvos Oro Uostai (LTOU) suspended flights at VIA at around 10pm on…

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Lithuania: China remains threat to energy system: minister

China remains a threat to the security of Lithuania’s energy system, Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas stated, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Vaiciunas assured that Chinese-made components, — specifically inverters, converters, and other elements, — would not be used in Lithuanian energy facilities. He said that the Energy Ministry had consulted…

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Lithuania: DELFI hosts inaugural Most Influential People awards

Lithuanian news outlet DELFI hosted its inaugural Most Influential People awards in Vilnius on 2 October 2025, ELTA reports. President Gitanas Nauseda won the award for the most influential politician. Other winners included journalist Edmundas Jakilaitis (media), construction entrepreneur Arvydas Avulis (business), public commentator Andrius Tapinas, Prosecutor General Nida Grunskiene (civil service), and discus thrower…

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Lithuania: Cultural sector readying for nationwide protests

Cultural activists in Lithuania are preparing for a nationwide “warning strike” on 5 October 2025 to protest against control of the Ministry of Culture by the far-right populist party, Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), LRT reports. Earlier, protests across the country contributed to the hasty resignation of PPNA’s newly-appointed Culture Minister, Ignotas Adomavicius. Cultural leaders fear…

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Lithuania: Dawn of Nemunas leader wants to abolish Constitutional Court

The leader of Lithuania’s far-right populist Dawn of Nemunas party, MP Remigijus Zemaitaitis, has called for abolishing the country’s Constitutional Court, ELTA reports. He insisted that the court had become a “politicised institution” and suggested that its functions be taken over by the Supreme Court instead. In 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that Zemaitaitis had violated…

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