The issue of allowing multiple citizenship needs to be resolved by changing existing laws rather than changing the constitution, which requires a referendum, says Dalia Henke, a member of the Lithuanian community in Germany and the newly re-elected chair of the Lithuanian World Community.
Lithuania has held two referenda in order to change the constitution article that limits possibilities for Lithuanian citizens to hold another country’s passport. Both times, the motion failed due to low turnout.
“Certainly no one will persuade me today to hold a third referendum on citizenship,” Henke, who will hold the chairmanship for the fourth term, told reporters on Friday. “I will not personally support and we will not agree to a third referendum. No way.”
“We must resolve the issue of birthright citizenship in all available legal ways as we are a country governed by the rule of law. If we need to appeal to the Constitutional Court again, we will do so,” Henke said.
Right now, Lithuania’s constitution stipulates that no one can be a citizen of both Lithuania and another country, except in some cases provided for by law. Exceptions apply to people who left Lithuania before 1990 and children entitled to multiple citizenships by birth.
The Constitutional Court has clarified that only a referendum to amend the Constitution can open up the possibility for more Lithuanian citizens to have dual citizenship.
According to Henke, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and President Gitanas Nausėda both agree another referendum on multiple citizenship is unnecessary.
“The attitude of this government and the attitude of the president is positive and they believe that there is no need to send the nation to a third referendum,” she said.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
