Lithuanian Parliament Votes on Constitutional Amendments on Nuclear Weapons

The Lithuanian Seimas has adopted amendments to the country’s Constitution that would remove a provision banning the deployment of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases.

A total of 99 members of parliament voted in favour of the amendments. Thirteen voted against and five abstained.

For a constitutional amendment to be adopted, the Seimas must approve it by at least a two-thirds majority in two separate votes held at least three months apart.

Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, presenting the bill, said that Europe’s security situation had changed significantly in recent years and that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the escalation of nuclear rhetoric, the modernisation of nuclear capabilities and the strengthening of military infrastructure in neighbouring regions, including the Kaliningrad region and Belarus, require Lithuania to be able to fully participate in NATO’s nuclear deterrence programme. This requires removing the constitutional provision banning the deployment of nuclear weapons.

“Our neighbouring countries, such as Latvia, Estonia and Poland, also have no restrictions. Lithuania must clearly show its allies and adversaries that it will defend its independence by all means. We cannot be less protected than other NATO countries. We must send a signal that Lithuania is a full-fledged participant in NATO’s nuclear deterrence,” said Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.