After a marathon debate, the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, approved in second reading amendments to legislation governing the appointment and dismissal of the head of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reported. Unexpectedly, MPs approved a satirical provision that would involve an opposition MP’s cat in the process of removing LRT’s director, ELTA reported. The ruling coalition plans to pass the legislation in final reading before the Christmas holidays. Noel Curran, director general of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), called on MPs to pause the fast-track process to allow for public debate, BNS reported. EBU has indicated to the European Commission that the proposed amendments violate the European Media Freedom Act. Meanwhile, President Gitanas Nauseda characterised the parliamentary proceedings as a “hybrid attack,” Lietuvos Rytas reported. Some MPs of the ruling Lithuanian Social Democratic Party privately suggested that Nauseda was behind the proposed legislative changes, LRT reported.
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