Amidst ongoing debate over media freedom and government policy, protests erupted during a speech by Lithuanian parliamentary Speaker Jonas Oleksas on Tuesday. Demonstrators voiced criticisms of the current administration, specifically regarding proposed changes to the public broadcaster LRT and broader cultural concerns. The display of dissent, occurring on the eve of commemorations marking the 1991 defense of Lithuania’s independence, highlights a period of heightened political tension within the Baltic nation.
Protesters displayed a sign during a speech by Lithuanian parliamentary Speaker Jonas Oleksas criticizing the current government, highlighting growing discontent over recent policy decisions.
The demonstration, which took place during Oleksas’ address, featured signs with slogans like “You Don’t Work for Lithuania,” “Nemuno Dawn,” “LSDP,” and “Hands Off,” referencing ongoing protests against proposed amendments to Lithuania’s public broadcaster, LRT, and concerns over cultural freedom.
Oleksas directly addressed the protest and previous demonstrations in his remarks, emphasizing the importance of democratic principles.
“Today we may have different opinions and express them through different methods of protest. But we fought for a democratic Lithuania where everyone can express their opinion, and we can all defend it together,” Oleksas stated.
He also spoke to the significance of defending freedom and the continuing relevance of the lessons from the events of January 13, 1991, when Soviet forces attacked Vilnius.
“In the face of current challenges, your choice becomes even more significant. It reminds us that freedom requires vigilance, and state security begins with people who are prepared to defend it with actions, not just words,” Oleksas said.
Following the event, Oleksas told reporters he welcomed the demonstration as an example of Lithuania’s democratic values.
“I don’t agree with the message on the sign, but I’m glad they have the right to express their opinion,” he said.
Protesters Voice Frustration
One of the protesters, identified as Arūnas, explained that the decision to demonstrate during Oleksas’ speech stemmed from dissatisfaction with the current government’s policies.
“The government is supposed to represent the people, but I doubt this government does,” Arūnas told journalists.
“Watching television, following the news, it’s frightening. We couldn’t stand it anymore… All the issues are piling up – LRT, culture – it’s been brewing for a long time,” he added.
Antanas Kliunka, leader of the Supreme Council Defenders’ Group, noted that many of the protesters are frequently in Ukraine, which prevented them from participating in earlier demonstrations. The protests underscore the deep divisions within Lithuanian society regarding the direction of the current government.
“We are always angry. We decided to show our position somehow. We couldn’t remain silent. We even considered doing something from Ukraine with Ukrainians who understand what freedom of speech means,” Kliunka said. “I don’t know what kind of compromising material Remigijus Žemaitaitis has on the current leaders, the way Vladimir Putin controls Donald Trump.”
“I don’t know where they’ve gotten themselves into, to act against a villain, against a Nazi who is constantly attacking Lithuania, who claims he will redirect Russian bombs – ‘kabos’ – falling on Ukraine towards Lithuania. We would like Žemaitaitis to see what remains after a ‘kabo’ hits, the diameter of the crater and the extent of the destruction. Like the ‘kabos’ that destroyed the Mariupol drama theater with children inside,” he continued.
Oleksas’ meeting with the freedom defenders also included presentations from Raimundas Vaikšnoras, Christoph Huber, commander of the German Brigade in Lithuania, and Lieutenant Colonel Giovanni Serra, representative of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania.
Olha Mosondz, an official from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, and Jevhen Dykyj, a former commander of the Ukrainian volunteer battalion “Aidar,” were also scheduled to speak.
Remembering January 13
Commemorations of the January 13, 1991, events are scheduled to take place across Lithuania on Tuesday and Wednesday, including at the Seimas, the Vilnius TV Tower, and other locations.
In January 1991, Soviet forces attempted to overthrow Lithuania’s legally elected government, which had declared independence from the Soviet Union on March 11, 1990.
During the night of January 13, 1991, 14 people were killed when Soviet military units stormed the Vilnius television tower and the Radio and Television Committee building. More than 1,000 unarmed civilians were injured.
Those killed on January 13, 1991, or died later from their injuries, include Loreta Asanavičiūtė, Virginijus Druskis, Darius Gerbutavičius, Rolandas Jankauskas, Rimantas Juknevičius, Alvydas Kanapinskas, Algimantas Petras Kavoliukas, Vytautas Koncevičius, Vidas Maciulevičius, Titas Masiulis, Alvydas Matulka, Apolinaras Juozas Povilaitis, Ignas Šimulionis, and Vytautas Vaitkus. Stasys Mačiulskas, injured at the television tower, died in hospital in April 1991.
Despite successfully occupying the Television Tower and the Lithuanian Radio and Television building, Soviet forces refrained from attacking the building of the Supreme Council-Restorative Seimas, which was defended by thousands of people.
