Lithuanian Parliamentary Speaker Saulius Skvernelis has said a “fifth column” is forming within the Seimas, claiming that some MPs harbour sympathies for Russia.
“There is a certain ‘fifth column’ forming in the Seimas, we are seeing this based on their votes,” he told LRT TV following the first closed parliamentary session in 34 years.
The session was initiated by Skvernelis, head of the Democrats “For Lithuania” party in the ruling coalition. It aimed to provide MPs with information on national security, the military, and potential threats.
Earlier, 18 out of 141 MPs – including those from the populist Nemunas Dawn party, which is in government – abstained or voted against extending sanctions on Russia.
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“It’s clear that there are lovers of an Eastern country [Russia] and scepticism when it comes to our national security and defence,” Skvernelis said.
“But at least if they watch those Russian channels or some Telegram channels, they might be able to compare, at least a little, the information they believe in with the information provided by our services,” he added.
The term "fifth column" historically refers to a group within a country that works for an adversary.
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