Since the autumn of 2025 Lithuania has seen growing civic resistance in response to political decisions affecting culture, media policy, and democratic governance. Artists, cultural institutions, and professionals from across the society have raised concerns that these developments are threat to institutional independence and public trust. What is happening? 

You can find the full timeline of events at the end of this page.

In September 2025, the Lithuanian government transferred the Ministry of Culture to Nemunas Dawn (Nemuno aušra), a populist party associated with anti-European, antisemitic, and pro-Russian narratives. The leader of Nemunas Dawn has already been found to be in violation of the Constitution, raising serious concerns about his and the party’s commitment to democratic principles. Its growing influence on cultural policy increases the risk of censorship, the marginalization of minority voices, the distortion of historical memory, deeper polarization, and greater Kremlin influence.Since the Ministry is in charge of public information policy, the delayed handover put freedom of speech in Lithuania at risk.

This decision sparked an unprecedented civic movement: the Culture Assembly (Kultūros asamblėja). It brought together hundreds of cultural institutions, independent artists, and organisations committed to protecting cultural autonomy, artistic freedom, and the integrity of democratic governance.

What began as a cultural protest has since expanded into a broader civic movement uniting communities and and forming over a dozen regional assemblies across Lithuania. Representatives from education, science, agriculture, health, and other public sectors have expressed solidarity and joined the calls for accountability and transparency in cultural governance. Universities, farmers’ associations, and professional unions have also taken part, emphasising that this struggle extends beyond culture – it concerns the future of democratic participation and the rule of law in Lithuania.

The Assembly does not seek political power; its purpose is to defend the independence of cultural and media institutions, strengthen democratic values, and resist political capture.

Despite public protest, on 25 September 2025 Ignotas Adomavičius was appointed by the Nemuno Aušra party to serve as Minister of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. However, under mounting public pressure, he resigned on 3 October 2025, after only one week in office. But the movement didn’t stop: the first month of resistance united Lithuanians nationwide. On October 5, the largest protest in independent Lithuania’s history took place: the Warning Strike with over 300 events held in 81 towns across the country and in 22 countries abroad.

From 21 October to 21 November 2025, the Assembly led a Month of Cultural Protest under the slogan We Are Culture— a series of peaceful, inclusive, and creative actions expressing civic responsibility and solidarity. The movement brought together artists, educators, scientists, farmers, public-sector professionals, and others holding diverse political views. It culminated in a rally of around 5,000 people who gathered near Parliament.

During this period of sustained mobilisation, the Ministry of Culture began forming its political team without a confirmed minister. On 10 November 2025, Vaida Aleknavičienė was appointed Minister of Culture, marking a new stage in the government’s response to the crisis.

Alongside protests and legal challenges, the Culture Assembly announced December 2025 as a Month of Education, shifting part of its activity toward civic education and democratic literacy. As part of this, on 5–6 December 2025, the Assembly organised an International Forum on Democratic Resistance “To Jump from the Boiling Pot” bringing together journalists, media experts, academics, and civic activists from 12 European countries including Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova, Georgia, as well as participants and observers from Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia, and Estonia. The forum focused on shared experiences of media capture, democratic erosion, and resistance, highlighted common warning signs and stressed the importance of early civic response and international solidarity.

At the same time, the 2026–2028 Ministry of Culture budget has been drastically reduced.This decision will have long-term consequences for cultural institutions, artists, and regional programmes – threatening not only operational stability but also the very foundations of Lithuania’s cultural ecosystem.

Solidarity actions and public statements continued across Lithuania, as journalist associations, environmental activists, healthcare professionals, and business representatives reaffirmed their support for the movement’s core demands: transparency, competence, and democratic governance. It has become clear that democracy in Lithuania is under strain. What started as a crisis in the cultural sector has revealed much deeper challenges in the way the country is governed, exposing problems far beyond the “culture” field itself. These developments raised wider concerns about the protection of independent institutions, including public service media, which became the focus of the next phase of civic mobilisation.

New challenges: attack on free speech and autonomy of the Public Broadcaster

In early December 2025, members of the ruling parliamentary majority, including representatives of the "Nemuno Aušra" party, submitted draft amendments to the LRT Act to the Seimas under an expedited procedure. The proposed changes involved altering the governance structure of the public broadcaster (LRT), aiming to increase its political dependence on the ruling majority. The freezing of the LRT budget was also extended under the pretext of needing to review the national broadcaster's funding model. Media experts and international organizations warned that these steps would heighten political pressure and influence on the public broadcaster, enabling the ruling majority to shape the public communication narrative.

This hasty and politicized process sparked a second wave of public protests: four massive demonstrations in Vilnius focused on defending media freedom and opposing the LRT law amendments. On December 9, 2025, over 10,000 people gathered near the Parliament for the protest "Hands Off Free Speech!". This was followed by three consecutive days of protests on December 16, 17, and 18, as the ruling majority rammed the amendments forward like a bulldozer, despite widespread public opposition.

Parallel to these events, the Association of Professional Journalists, along with journalists and media representatives from various newsrooms, initiated a petition that was signed by over 140,000 Lithuanian citizens. Former President Dalia Grybauskaitė, figures from the cultural sector, and non-governmental organizations publicly supported, signed, and urged the public to sign the petition. It became the most supported online petition in Lithuania's history. Meanwhile, in Parliament, the opposition utilized procedural mechanisms, including a filibuster, to delay the amendments pushed by the ruling majority and prevent their passage before the end of 2025. Thanks to the efforts of an active civil society, the journalists' initiative group, and the opposition, the vote on the LRT law amendments was postponed to 2026.

The LRT issue returned to the Seimas during the spring 2026 session. The draft was referred back to the Seimas Committee on Culture for reconsideration after receiving over 150 proposals and comments from MPs, civic organizations, citizens, and the Seimas Legal Department. The new draft contained additional controversial provisions, including the establishment of an LRT Management Board and a Council Bureau, restrictions on external media representatives appearing on LRT broadcasts, simplified conditions for dismissing the Director General, and a proposal that LRT could operate only under a five-year contract concluded with the Government. The proposed project was criticized by the Venice Commission, the Special Investigation Service (STT), and the media community itself. Experts emphasized that the proposals violated the public broadcaster's independence. Seimas legal experts concluded that the proposed changes contradicted the European Media Freedom Act—the key European document on media standards. Concurrently, scholars from three universities independently joined forces to prepare and present an alternative concept for LRT's political neutrality and effective governance.

While chaotic discussions brewed in the Seimas over the amendments, the Association of Professional Journalists, together with the Cultural Assembly—seeing that the ruling coalition was not backing down and continued to bulldoze the amendments—called on the public to join a fifth protest: "Hands Off Free Speech!". On April 8, 2026, over 10,000 people gathered again at the Seimas to protest against attempts to politicize the public broadcaster and weaken the democratic safeguards protecting media independence.

While the initial protests focused on protecting the independence of the public broadcaster, by 2026 civil society also began emphasizing the democratic accountability of the ruling majority.

On April 25, 2026, approximately 25,000 people gathered in Cathedral Square in Vilnius for what was, to date, one of the largest civic protests in Lithuania in recent years, defending freedom of speech, the independence of the public broadcaster, and democratic accountability.

Despite mass protests, the ruling majority rushed to complete the adoption process of the LRT law amendments by May 19, when the LRT Council was set to meet for its final session under its existing, majority-friendly composition. With the opposition actively engaging in the process, deliberations stalled due to numerous proposals and procedural violations. However, when the draft amendments left the Committee on Culture for a vote in the Parliament, the main threats to LRT's independence had been eliminated. Nevertheless, one of the provisions most heavily criticized by international bodies and experts—the effective dates regarding the dismissal of the LRT Director General—remained unaddressed.

On June 2, 2026, the Parliament adopted the amendments to the LRT Act. Opposition members boycotted the vote in protest. At the end of the session, even members of the ruling majority conceded that the adopted LRT law was not what they had originally sought, and that half a year had been wasted in the process. The draft no longer contained the provisions that had brought people to six separate protests: the ban on external journalists participating in LRT content was removed; content and editorial policy will not be decided by the LRT Council; the requirement for LRT to sign a contract with the Government was withdrawn (at least for now); and the Director General cannot be dismissed arbitrarily. However, the grounds for early dismissal of the Director General remained, contradicting the findings of the Venice Commission and other experts.

The President signed the bill into law.

These events also drew international attention. In early 2026, Members of the European Parliament expressed concern over the proposed amendments during debates on media freedom and the rule of law in Lithuania, urging close monitoring of the situation and adherence to European standards regarding public service media independence. Lithuania's case was cited in the broader context of the implementation of the European Media Freedom Act and the EU's annual Rule of Law Report. The Council of Europe's Venice Commission issued urgent opinions twice. In their assessment, even the revised draft still posed a threat to LRT's editorial independence, and applying new procedures retroactively to the incumbent head failed to meet European standards.

Background and timeline:

• September 23, 2025: the Cultural Assembly is established in response to plans to hand over the Ministry of Culture to the "Nemuno Aušra" political party.

• September 25, 2025: a protest takes place outside the President's Office after Head of State Gitanas Nausėda signs a decree approving the updated Cabinet of Ministers, appointing Ignotas Adomavičius of "Nemuno Aušra" as Minister of Culture.

• October 3, 2025: facing intense public pressure, the appointed Minister of Culture resigns one week after his appointment.

• October 5, 2025: a nationwide Warning Strike initiated by the Cultural Assembly launches, featuring over 300 events across 81 towns in Lithuania and 22 foreign countries.

• October 21 – November 21, 2025: the Cultural Assembly initiates the protest month "We Are Culture." Representatives from education, science, agriculture, healthcare, and other sectors express solidarity with the protest and joins the movement.

• October 25, 2025: within one month, the petition collects over 80,000 signatures from citizens.

• November 4, 2025: for the first time since the restoration of independence, the political team of the Ministry of Culture is formed without an appointed minister, starting with the appointment of vice-ministers. Public pressure leads to the resignation of appointed Vice-Minister Aleksandras Brokas, while another proposed vice-minister, whose nomination raised serious public concern over competence, is ultimately not appointed.

• November 10, 2025: Vaida Aleknavičienė is appointed Minister of Culture.

• November 21, 2025: a rally titled "What Kind of Lithuania Do We Want" gathers around 5,000 people in Vilnius, calling on leaders to take responsibility for safeguarding democracy. Farmers, healthcare workers, educators, academics, and athletes join the cultural community, emphasizing cross-sectoral unity.

• Late November, 2025: the Assembly warns that Lithuania faces a risk of democratic backsliding, highlighting political pressure exerted on cultural and media institutions.

• November 23, 2025: the Cultural Assembly declares December as a Month Education, focusing on civic education, democratic literacy, and strengthening resilience.

• December 1, 2025: NEW CHALLENGES: representatives of the ruling coalition in the Parliament submit a package of legislative to the law governing LRT, the national public broadcaster.

• December 5–6, 2025: the International Democratic Resistance Forum takes place in Vilnius, focusing on media capture, democratic erosion, and civic resistance.

• December 9, 2025: the protest "Hands off free speech!" against political interference in LRT takes place in Vilnius, gathering over 10,000 people outside Parliament.

• December 16, 17, 18, 2025: protests for media freedom in Lithuania continue for three days. Despite calls to drop the reforms affecting LRT, the proposals continued to advance under an expedited legislative procedure. More than 140,000 people sign the petition, making it the largest e-petition in the country to date.

• December 18, 2025: in response to mass demonstrations, petitions, legal complaints, and statutory parliamentary filibustering, the ruling coalition decides to postpone the final vote on the amendments to early 2026, moving deliberations to the next session instead of passing them before the end of 2025.

• January, 2026: the Council of Europe's Venice Commission begins preparing an urgent opinion on the proposed LRT Act amendments. A delegation visits Lithuania to consult with state authorities, civil society, and media representatives. The Commission's conclusions are scheduled for review during the Parliament spring session.

• January, 2026: The final vote on the LRT Act amendments is officially deferred to the Parliament spring session following continued public pressure and procedural obstacles raised by the opposition in Parliament.

• January–February, 2026: members of the European Parliament raised concerns over the proposed amendments during discussions regarding media freedom and the rule of law in Lithuania, calling for adherence to European standards on public broadcaster independence.

• February, 2026: the parliamentary working group tasked with reviewing the controversial LRT Act amendments completes its work. It is announced that the draft would not be fast-tracked and would be considered during the Parliament spring session

• Spring 2026: the proposed amendments return to the parliamentary agenda with renewed urgency and additional controversial provisions. The revised draft includes plans for a new LRT Management Board, changes to the appointment structure of the LRT Council, expanded mechanisms for dismissing the Director General, and further restrictions on external media participation in content production. Critics argue these changes would significantly increase political influence over the broadcaster's management and editorial independence.

• Spring 2026: despite earlier promises by the ruling majority to avoid expedited procedures, the proposed amendments return to the parliamentary agenda. Civil society organizations and opposition MPs criticize what they describe as a chaotic and politically forced legislative process aimed at passing the amendments before the scheduled rotation of the LRT Council in May 2026. Critics assert that several provisions were designed to allow the current ruling majority to influence the broadcaster's management before the new Council composition takes effect

• April–May, 2026: the Seimas Committee on Culture holds unusually intensive discussions on the amendments, organizing roughly ten committee meetings, some lasting full working days. During deliberations, over 150 proposals and more than 40 legal opinions are submitted.

• April 8, 2026: protests continue: over 10,000 people gather outside the Parliament to protest the ruling majority's attempt to politicize the public broadcaster and weaken democratic safeguards protecting media independence.

• April 25, 2026: approximately 25,000 people gather in Cathedral Square in Vilnius for one of the largest civic protests in Lithuania in recent years, defending freedom of speech, public broadcaster independence, and democratic accountability.

• May 6, 2026: the Venice Commission issues its opinion on the proposed amendments to Lithuanian authorities for a second time, reiterating concerns regarding media independence, the governance model, and the legislative process.

• May 17, 2026: the proposed amendments project moves from the Seimas Committee on Culture to the Parliament. During committee discussions, the most objectionable provisions are removed. However, all amendments will still be voted on separately in Parliament, meaning previously rejected proposals could return. Concerns also remain after the committee ignored repeated recommendations by experts, the Special Investigation Service (STT), and the Venice Commission that any legal changes should apply only to future leadership terms, rather than current office holders.

• May 21, 2026: amendments to the Law on the Lithuanian National Radio and Television are submitted for deliberation in the Parliament assembly hall.

• June 2, 2026: the Pariament adopts the amendments to the LRT Act. At the closing part of the session, even members of the ruling coalition acknowledge that the enacted law is not what they originally intended or fought for, despite having spent half a year on it. The bill no longer includes the provisions that brought citizens out to six separate protests. However, the grounds for early dismissal of the Director General remain, contradicting the conclusions of the Venice Commission and other experts.

• June 12, 2026: The President signs the LRT Act amendments into law.

Has this battle against the ruling majority attempts on weakening the autonomy of the national broadcaster been won? To a large extent, yes — the greatest threats to media freedom and public broadcaster independence were stripped from the law. However, we cannot lose our vigilance. We thank everyone who dedicated their time, attended the protests, or simply offered their moral support. This was a valuable lesson and a useful workout in civic responsibility for us all. This six-month saga proved that when those in power forget democratic principles, the strength and solidarity of active citizens can stop them.

ABOUT US

The Assembly emerged as a response to concrete political decisions affecting the autonomy of the cultural sector, but quickly grew into a broader civic movement addressing democratic standards, institutional independence, and public accountability. The Assembly does not seek political power and is not affiliated with any political party.

The Assembly’s core long-term directions are civic education, the growth of political culture, the protection of democratic governance, and the strengthening of resilience against disinformation. The Assembly will continue to build a network of civically engaged individuals and collaborate with existing and emerging assemblies, fostering active participation in these areas. The Assembly also reserves the right to formulate political demands if necessary to safeguard democratic order, preserve freedoms, and ensure national security.