Lithuania: Parliament postpones vote on public broadcaster law

The ruling coalition in Lithuania has decided to postpone consideration of proposed amendments to the law governing the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. Juozas Olekas, speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, said that discussion on the legislation would continue in the beginning of 2026, “possibly involving members of…

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Lithuania: PM backs down on public broadcaster legislation

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene called on the country’s parliament, the Seimas, not to approve controversial amendments that would make it easier to dismiss the director general of Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reported. Ruginiene said that legislation should ensure LRT’s editorial independence, protect freedom of speech, and improve governance. At the same…

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Lithuania: Parliament pushes disputed legislation on public broadcaster

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…

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Lithuania: Three-day protest to protect public broadcaster

Journalists and cultural workers in Lithuania have begun a three-day protest outside the parliament, the Seimas, against legislation that would facilitate dismissing the director of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. Also, inflatable “air dancer” dolls were set up outside the office of President Gitanas Nauseda, urging him to…

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Lithuania: Parliament backs disputed bill on public broadcaster

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has approved in first reading amendments to make it easier to dismiss the director general of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. Altogether 76 MPs voted for, 50 against, and none abstained. Almost all MPs from the ruling three-party coalition backed the bill. The…

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Lithuania: Parliament approves state budget for 2026

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has approved the state budget for 2026 with 80 votes for, 39 against, and 7 abstentions, BNS reports. Under the budget, annual revenues, including EU funds, will amount to EUR 21.07bn and expenditures to EUR 27.51bn. The government’s net borrowing limit has been increased to EUR 7.79bn, ELTA reports. The…

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Lithuania: LSDP to draft new bill on public broadcaster

Lithuania’s ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) plans to draft a new bill to make it easier to dismiss the director general of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. Under the proposed amendments, LRT’s council would be able to dismiss the company’s director with simple majority by secret…

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Lithuania: Thousands rally to defend public broadcaster

Thousands of people gathered outside the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, on 9 December 2025 to protest against planned changes to the management of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. Location data from mobile operators showed that around 40,000 people took part in the demonstration, DELFI reported. The protesters accused…

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Lithuania: Government declares emergency over smuggler balloons

The Lithuanian government has declared a nationwide emergency situation in response to repeated incursions of smuggler balloons from neighbouring Belarus into Lithuanian airspace, BNS reports. At the same time, the government proposed that the parliament, the Seimas, grant the Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) extended powers to assist law enforcement for three months. The balloon incursions…

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