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Politics

Lithuania’s ruling coalition opposes raising refugee resettlement quota

During its sitting on Monday, the Political Council of the ruling majority has agreed that Lithuania cannot take in more refugees than it has been obligated so far. […]

Algirdas Butkevičius
Politics

Lithuania’s social democrats retain popularity despite corruption scandals

Recent scandals of alleged corruption surrounding the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) should not damage the party’s popularity, says Romas Mačiūnas, a sociologist at public opinion and market research company Baltijos Tyrimai. In early October, before the party came into the media attention following corruption accusations, the social democrats were supported by a quarter of all voters, a similar number as in September. […]

Politics

Lithuanian parliament proposes 34-percent hike to minimum wage

The Lithuanian Parliament has adopted a resolution, proposing to the Government to raise the minimum monthly wage to EUR 437, a 34-percent hike from the current rate of EUR 325. […]

Vytautas Vigelis
Politics

Lithuania’s deputy culture minister steps down

On Tuesday, the recently and controversially appointed Deputy Minister of Culture Vytautas Vigelis announced about his resignation. […]

Valentinas Mazuronis
Politics

Lithuania’s Labour Party threatens to leave coalition over deputy minister row

Following a conversation of Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius and Culture Minister Šarūnas Birutis, who was instructed to sack his deputy minister Vytautas Vigelis within a week, the Labour Party‘s leader Valentinas Mazuronis rushed off to the Government’s Office. The politician is convinced that the deputy minister was appointed lawfully, although the PM insists that Vigelis should be fired. […]

Agneta Lobačevskytė (left) in a meeting with Seimas ombudsmen Augustinas Normantas and Raimondas Šukys. Photo Vytautas Valentinavičius, Seimo kontrolierių įstaiga
Politics

Lithuania’s new equal opportunities ombudswoman walks fine line between human rights and religion

From advisor on legal issues to the speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament, to deputy culture minister and, finally, to ombudsperson in charge of equal opportunities (EO). This would seem like a surreal career journey to some, but Agneta Lobačevskytė, the new EO ombudswoman, sees what seems like a stroke of luck to many as a logical and deserved turn of events. […]