LRT English Newsletter – December 12, 2025.
On Tuesday, at least 10,000 people rallied to urge the government to take their hands off free speech and encourage the president to wake up to their calls and protect public service media independence.
If you’re new to the saga, here’s an explainer.
In short – the parliament is currently considering two amendments that would simplify the process of dismissing LRT’s director general, lowering the required support to 6 or 7 council members in a secret vote, instead of the current requirement of 8 in an open vote. Critics say, this would open a Pandora's box for successive politicians in power to keep appointing their preferred head to run the country’s biggest media organisation.
Journalists in Warsaw say the situation hits close to home and express solidarity with the protests, which seek to avert the sort of media crisis that has plagued Poland since 2015. Lithuania’s case could serve as a regional example, especially as Estonia’s public broadcaster continues to face similar pressures.
STRANDED AND FURIOUS
The day after the Hands Off rally, Gediminas Avenue saw another protest, sparked by yet another prolonged dispute.
On Wednesday, the National Association of Road Carriers Linava staged a protest over hundreds of Lithuanian trucks detained in Belarus and the Lithuanian government’s failure to resolve the issue.
The trucking industry says it is fed up with a government that “does nothing but talk and downplay the numbers” of lorries stuck in Belarus.
Lithuanian customs reports that Belarus is holding 185 lorries, while Linava informed authorities that roughly 500 Lithuanian trucks are trapped there. Publicly, however, the association claims that around 4,000 vehicles remain in the country, including about 1,250 trucks.
The truckers were unlikely to be any more appeased after Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė stated that the government is not considering compensating Lithuanian carriers whose trucks remain detained in Belarus. You should ask Minsk for compensations, she quipped.
Here’s another explainer on how smuggling balloons eventually resulted in thousands of euros in losses for the Lithuanian trucking industry.
Meanwhile, smuggler balloons continue to fly into Lithuania, frequently disrupting Vilnius airport’s operations – so much so that the government declared a nationwide emergency and the Prime Minister advised people to avoid flying at night.
She also said the government is weighing national sanctions against Belarus or reintroducing a border closure, but will first seek a solution with support from allies in the EU and US. Furthermore, Lithuania is considering freezing or confiscating Belarusian-owned assets in the country and suspending passenger routes to Belarus and Russia, in coordination with Latvia and Poland.
RECONSIDERING THE COALITION?
Amid ongoing protests and national emergencies, the Social Democrats – the largest party in the governing coalition – along with Prime Minister Ruginienė, have seen their approval ratings dip to some of the lowest levels in recent months.
In an effort to gauge public sentiment, the Social Democrats polled voters on a range of issues, including their views on the coalition with the populist Nemunas Dawn party, the coalition’s key shortcomings, trust in the party, and perceptions of whether LRT reports political affairs impartially.
Slightly over half of respondents indicated they do not want the current coalition with Nemunas Dawn to continue.
Almost two thirds say they believe LRT is fully or mostly objective.
NEW BUDGET
The Lithuanian parliament has passed the 2026 state budget, marking a historic increase in defence spending, which will now account for 5.38% of GDP – nearly matching the projected budget deficit. The package also provides for higher social benefits and raises for teachers, doctors, civil servants, and other public-sector employees.
DEFENCE
As the US is cutting its troops’ presence across Europe, Lithuania isn’t at risk of losing any of the more than 1,000 US troops currently stationed in the country, announced Prime Minister Ruginienė. The president’s office echoed the message.
The US has praised Lithuania’s increases in military spending, while the presidential office has in turn hailed the controversial US National Security Strategy, despite it outlining a stance that openly criticises Europe’s expectations for the war in Ukraine.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
– Learn what Macron’s former adviser has to say about Russia.
– A closer look at Russian operations in Germany.
– What are NATO troops learning from being stationed in Latvia?
– Lithuanian museums are cautiously embracing AI.
– Good news: Lithuanian teens smoke and drink less. Bad news: they are misusing medications.
– How Lithuanians choose their Christmas trees?
– Are you into trains? You’re going to love this museum.
– The Duchy of Prussia would have celebrated its 500th anniversary this year – explore the legendary border region between Prussia and Lithuania.
Written by Austė Sargytė
Edited by Justinas Šuliokas
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