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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-10-2026-0075

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Diana Riba i Giner, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Ville Niinistö, Erik Marquardt, Mārtiņš Staķis

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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 expresses serious concern about Lithuanian amendments to the LRT law that ease dismissal of the director general and freeze the broadcaster's budget, saying they breach EU media freedom rules. It calls on Lithuanian authorities to respect EU standards, urges the Seimas to reject the amendments, and asks the Commission to monitor compliance.

Key points

  1. Recalls that independence of public service media depends on strong governance safeguards and adequate, stable funding, and that media freedom is part of the rule of law.
  2. Expresses serious concern about amendments allowing dismissal of LRT's director general by simple majority and secret ballot, without public interest justification.
  3. Expresses concern about freezing LRT's budget at 2025 level for 2026-2028 and reducing tax-based revenues thereafter, undermining financial sustainability.
  4. Believes both sets of amendments breach the European Media Freedom Act, notably Article 5.
  5. Calls on Lithuanian authorities to ensure amendments respect EU standards and to consult LRT staff, journalists, civil society, and media experts.
  6. Urges the Seimas to reject pending amendments and to wait for the Venice Commission's opinion before adopting any changes.
  7. Calls on the Seimas and Government to reconsider the budgetary framework and ensure stable, predictable, adequate funding for LRT.
  8. Requests the Commission to monitor media freedom in Lithuania, assess compliance with EMFA, and use tools including infringement procedures if needed.
  9. Regrets that the review of Regulation (EU) 2019/452 did not include media in mandatory screening for security and public order, and calls for this in an early review.

Who is affected

  • Lithuanian authorities (Seimas and Government) are urged to change course on LRT amendments and funding.
  • LRT (Lithuanian National Radio and Television) faces changes to leadership dismissal and budget freeze.
  • The European Commission is asked to monitor and potentially act against Lithuania.

Figures and deadlines

  • Budget freeze at 2025 level for 2026, 2027 and 2028, with reduction thereafter.

Legal basis: Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights