LRT English Newsletter – May 1, 2026
Happy Labour Day! Appropriately, we are not working today but still delivering your weekly LRT English Newsletter.
Should we be worried about a looming economic crisis? At least Lithuanian business leaders are sounding the alarm bells about the effects of a potentially prolonged oil crisis – and, naturally, demanding tax breaks from the government.
The latter so far appears equanimous, assuring it has a plan in place. One which does not, however, include any broad interventions (that would be against EU rules, they claim), only targeted measures to counteract the direct effects of spiking fuel prices (like temporary tax cuts on diesel).
The national statistics office released its first estimates of the GDP growth over the first quarter of 2026: although the economy is bigger than a year ago, it slightly contracted since the end of 2025. Some analysts are blaming the cold winter.
CRIMINAL SHAKEUPS
Several politicians who formerly held top government positions are now subjects of criminal investigations. Former conservative agriculture minister Kazys Starkevičius and former Seimas speaker and prime minister Saulius Skvernelis are both suspects in a case of corruption at the State Plant Service. Starkevičius has admitted taking a bribe – and even gave the money to investigators. Meanwhile, Skvernelis maintains he is innocent and plans to defend himself.
In an unrelated case, former PM Gintautas Paluckas is suspected of illicit enrichment (though not during his time in office) through shady business schemes.
While Starkevičius has resigned as MP, both Paluckas and Skvernelis have only stepped back from their parties, but plan to stay in the parliament (the latter quipped he needs the salary to pay the lawyers). The ruling Social Democratic Party in particular is now under pressure to more firmly distance itself from the former leader.
Meanwhile, the leader of another ruling party, Remigijus Žemaitaitis of Nemunas Dawn, has been found in violation of ethics rules when he leased his own car to the party for use by himself during campaigning. He maintains it’s unfair it’s illegal.
SCHOOL STABBING
The incident that shook the country most this week was a school stabbing in the southwestern town of Marijampolė. A teenager stabbed three of his schoolmates on Tuesday. Thankfully, the wounds were not life-threatening and all the three victims were released from hospital the same day. Since the attacker is a minor, we know precious little about him or his motives. He himself has been hospitalised, according to latest reports, and the police have yet to question him.
GEOPOLITICS
– President Gitanas Nausėda said Lithuania has received an invitation from the US to join the coalition for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iran in response to US and Israeli attacks. Nausėda said he will discuss the proposal within the State Defence Council and that the parliament would have to approve Lithuania’s participation.
– Meanwhile, China lifted sanctions on two Lithuanian banks. This comes in response to the EU lifting its own measures against several Chinese regional banks. Though the move is rather symbolic – none of the Lithuanian banks conducted much business in China or felt the effects of the sanctions – it might signal a respite from tensions between Beijing and the EU.
MEDIA FREEDOM
A big protest rally took place last Saturday in Vilnius over the law amendments governing LRT. By some estimates, up to 30,000 people showed up to protest the bill they fear might affect the editorial independence of the public broadcaster and free speech more generally.
Related to it or not, the parliamentary Culture Committee that is debating the bill decided to postpone its vote until the Venice Commission – a Council of Europe advisory body on constitutional law – gives its opinion.
The move may indicate that at least parts of the ruling coalition – the Social Democrats – are willing to back down from the prolonged standoff. According to reports last week, the parliamentary faction discussed the issue during an unscheduled meeting called by the prime minister who would like to “seek peace”. Originally, the plan was to pass the amendments by May.
Meanwhile, Lithuania slipped down one spot in the global Press Freedom Index. Although the drop is not dramatic, many see it as the consequence of the five-month political standoff over LRT.
EDITOR’S PICKS
– What do ordinary Germans know and think about Lithuania – and why do we care?
– The Ukraine war is lasting longer than some benefactors had originally expected.
– Sylvain Francisco and Moses Wright – the best Žalgiris duo in history?
– Size matters, at least when it comes to railways.
– An “extremist” university in Vilnius under growing pressure from Minsk.
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