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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2568(RSP))

On the attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania

B-10-2026-0073

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Rasa Juknevičienė

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This resolution condemns attempts to undermine the independence of Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT through funding cuts and weakened dismissal safeguards, and calls on the Commission to assess and act against these measures. It expresses solidarity with Lithuanian journalists and civil society, and calls on Lithuania's ruling coalition to suspend or repeal politicised measures affecting the LRT.

Key points

  1. Condemns all attempts to undermine LRT independence, including legislative and administrative measures and political pressure.
  2. Considers that freezing and reducing LRT funding may constitute political pressure incompatible with constitutional guarantees and Article 5(3) EMFA.
  3. Considers that proposed amendments lowering safeguards for early dismissal of LRT's Director General risk enabling arbitrary political interference and are incompatible with Article 5(2) EMFA.
  4. Calls on the Commission to urgently assess the situation and initiate infringement procedures for violations of EMFA Articles 3, 5, and 21.
  5. Strongly condemns ad personam legislation targeting specific individuals and recalls its incompatibility with rule of law principles.
  6. Notes with concern the pattern of cumulative political pressure on LRT through repeated audits and inspections despite no substantiated findings of wrongdoing, and calls for cessation.
  7. Calls on Lithuania's ruling coalition to suspend, repeal or refrain from adopting politicised measures and to ensure compliance with EU law and standards.
  8. Calls for political influence to be minimised in LRT Council formation and for adequate professional requirements for its members.
  9. Calls on the Commission to use all available instruments under the Rule of Law Toolbox, including infringement proceedings under Article 258 TFEU.
  10. Welcomes the Venice Commission's involvement and calls for its opinion to be fully taken into account.
  11. Welcomes the Commission's commitment to strengthening media resilience and stresses the need for increased funding and support for independent media.

Who is affected

  • Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT and its staff, facing funding cuts and potential dismissal of its Director General.
  • Lithuania's ruling coalition, called on to suspend or repeal politicised measures and cease pressure on LRT.
  • The European Commission, called on to assess and initiate infringement procedures.
  • Lithuanian journalists and civil society, with whom Parliament expresses solidarity.

Figures and deadlines

  • More than 140 000 citizens signed a public petition opposing the legislative initiatives.
  • Tens of thousands of citizens demonstrated in Vilnius on 9 December 2025 and from 16 to 18 December 2025.

Legal basis: Articles 2 and 7 TEU; Articles 114 and 258 TFEU; Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights