Speaker of the Seimas Juozas Olekas said Wednesday that while Lithuania’s ruling coalition agrees on the importance of defence, it remains divided over how best to strengthen national security.
“On the issue of defence, our views coincide. We voted for a budget allocating 5.38% of GDP to defence, which neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives supported, but our coalition partners supported very unitedly,” Olekas told the radio Žinių Radijas.
He said differences persist over priorities, particularly between investments in air defence and military training infrastructure.
“Some of our coalition partners say air defence is essential. Correct, we need air defence. But we also need training grounds. Some see a broader picture, while others, perhaps responding to the interests of those who protested outside the Seimas yesterday, support that direction,” Olekas said, referring to a rally protesting plans to build a military training ground in Kapčiamiestis, southern Lithuania.
“It is not a stubborn disagreement. It is a highlighting of certain priorities, but there is a very clear consensus that we must ensure peace in Lithuania and defend our people so they can build lives here and investors can create jobs,” he added.
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Lawmakers on Tuesday approved the establishment of the Kapčiamiestis training ground in the Lazdijai district after deliberation. The initiative was backed by 109 members of parliament, with 11 voting against and two abstaining.
All lawmakers who opposed the measure were from parties in the ruling majority, including eight members of Nemunas Dawn led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, and three members of the Lithuanian Farmers, Greens and Christian Families Union group.
The Seimas had taken an initial step toward establishing the training ground in late March, when 102 lawmakers supported the proposal, with 10 voting against and six abstaining. Those opposing the plan were again from Nemunas Dawn and the Farmers, Greens and Christian Families group.
Žemaitaitis has argued that funds allocated for the training ground should instead be directed toward strengthening air defence.
During Tuesday’s debate, about 300 people protested outside the parliament building against the planned training ground.
One more vote is required to pass the law on building the training facility.
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