Lithuanian cultural workers have rejected talks with Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene over their opposition to the appointment of Ignotas Adomavicius, member of the far-right populist party, Dawn of Nemunas, as Minister of Culture, BNS reports. Activists have set up a committee to coordinate protests and plans for a warning strike on 5 October 2025, LRT reports. Many civil society critics have warned that in countries like Georgia and Hungary, the erosion of democratic institutions began with the cultural sector.
Meanwhile, BNS and ELTA reported that the German embassy in Vilnius did not invite the new culture minister to an event commemorating German reunification. Mindaugas Sinkevicius, chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP), suggested that the move could constitute interference in Lithuania’s internal affairs, BNS reported. Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene expressed hope that the recent government reshuffle would not affect Lithuania’s defence cooperation with Germany, however.