An opportunity to establish a political party for EU citizens living in Lithuania
The government supported the initiative of the Ministry of Justice to make it possible for EU citizens living in Lithuania to establish a political party. Currently, only Lithuanian citizens have such a right.
According to Evelina Dobrovolska, the Minister of Justice, Lithuania must ensure the rights of EU citizens living in Lithuania and incorporate international provisions in line with EU standards into national law.
"We must fully ensure equal legal opportunities for citizens of EU member states together with Lithuanian citizens to exercise their right to participate in political activities and use tools provided by parties’ infrastructure: to establish political parties, to be elected to the European Parliament or local government councils during elections", emphasized E. Dobrovolska.
The Ministry of Justice proposes that an EU citizen who has lived in Lithuania for at least 6 months and has reached the age of 18 could form a political party. However, this proposal does not affect the fact that an EU citizen residing in Lithuania may not be elected as a member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania or the President.
According to the current legal regulation, at present citizens of other Member States of the European Union may not be the founders of political parties in Lithuania.
Since January 2019, citizens of EU Member States who have acquired the right to reside in Lithuania and have resided there for at least six months have been given the opportunity to become members of a political party.
The establishment of political parties and becoming a member of a political party is not restricted to EU citizens in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Bulgaria and other EU member states.