Lithuania: Prosecutor asks to strip antisemitic MP of immunity

Lithuania’s Prosecutor General, Nida Grunskiene, has asked the parliament, the Seimas, to remove legal immunity from MP Remigijus Zemaitaitis, BNS reports. The move will allow Zemaitaitis to be prosecuted for inciting hatred against a group of people. The opposition MP posted antisemitic texts on social media, claiming that Jews deported and killed Lithuanians during WW2….

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Lithuania: Ministers criticise proposal to close Russian schools

Lithuania’s Justice Minister, Ewelina Dobrowolska, warned against “populism” over the issue of Russian schools, BNS reported. Earlier, Education Minister Gintautas Jakstas suggested that Lithuania follow Estonia and Latvia in closing Russian schools. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Dobrowolska conceded that minority education faced challenges but insisted that they be dealt with by ensuring…

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Lithuania: Not enough votes in parliament for civil union law

Lithuania’s ruling coalition has failed to secure enough votes to pass the law on civil union, Ausrine Armonaite, chairwoman of the Freedom Party, conceded, BNS reports. She said that legalising same-sex unions did not receive sufficient support from Freedom Party’s coalition partners, Homeland Union (TS-LKD) and the Lithuanian Liberal Movement (LLS). Armonaite estimated that 66…

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Lithuania: airBaltic could offer distant destinations: airport CEO

Latvia’s national air carrer, airBaltic, could offer direct flights from Lithuania to distant destinations, Simonas Bartkus, CEO of Lithuania’s airport operator, Lietuvos Oro Uostai (LTOU), suggested, BNS reports. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Bartkus said that airBaltic could offer flights to more distant destinations that are important for business travel. Also, airBaltic could…

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Lithuania: Delegation of 11 MPs to visit Taiwan, meet new president

A delegation of 11 members of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, will visit Taiwan on 20-27 January 2024, BNS reports. Freedom Party MP Vytautas Mitalas said that the Lithuanian delegation would be the first to meet with Taiwan’s newly elected president, William Lai. Mitalas noted that the visit would help bring Lithuania and Taiwan closer. Meanwhile,…

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Lithuania: Defence chief stresses need for tanks, drones

Lithuania needs all types of weapons for defence, including tanks and drones, defence chief General Valdemaras Rupsys stated, BNS reports. The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) has to have the capability to counterattack and take over targets, he stressed. This will require mechanised and tank units, Rupsys explained. Earlier, Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas announced that Lithuania…

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Lithuania: President snubs Foreign Minister, says “nothing personal”

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that there was “nothing personal” in his decision not to invite Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Presidential Palace on 10 January 2024, BNS reports. He said that the meeting focused on military aid and defence industry cooperation, and that Defence Minister…

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Lithuania: President promises Lithuania to be “Ukraine’s voice”

Lithuania’s relationship with Ukraine is growing increasingly sensitive, sincere, and close, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said, BNS reports. Speaking to a large crowd outside the Presidential Palace in Vilnius after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Nauseda stressed that Ukraine must emerge victorious in the war with Russia because the security of the whole…

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