The Lithuanian parliament is to debate a bill allowing EU citizens to found political parties in the country.
On Tuesday, the amendment to the Law on Political Parties, drafted by the Justice Ministry, passed the first reading in the Seimas with 60 votes in favour, nine against and 36 abstentions and will now go to parliamentary committees.
It is expected to return to the full parliament for a plenary debate on May 27.
The legislation would allow EU citizens to found a political party, provided that they are of legal age, have resided in Lithuania for at least six months and are not members of any political parties or organisations in other countries, except European political parties.
Previous attempts to give the right to EU citizens have fallen through.
Justice Minister Evelina Dobrovolska said Lithuania must ensure the rights of EU citizens living in the country and incorporate international provisions into national law so that it is in line with EU standards.
She noted, however, that the proposed amendment would not give EU residents of Lithuania the right to run for parliament or president.
In 2019, the parliament allowed EU citizens to join Lithuanian political parties after residing in the country for at least six months.
The Justice Ministry then said that Lithuanian political parties had around 120,000 members, of whom only four were citizens of other EU member states.
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