European Green Party co-chair Vula Tsetsi said:
“Progressive forces must unite to defend fundamental rights and the rule of law. No referendum should be used to restrict the constitutional recognition of diverse family forms. The European Green Party is concerned that this referendum proposal risks constitutionally entrenching a restrictive definition of family in Lithuania. By defining family exclusively on the marriage between a man and a woman, as well as motherhood and fatherhood, it would raise serious concerns regarding equality, dignity, and non-discrimination."
"Even when presented as advisory, such initiatives can shift the constitutional and political environment in ways that expose minority rights to majoritarian pressure, setting a dangerous precedent for the protection of fundamental rights in a democratic society.”
European Green Party co-chair Ciarán Cuffe added:
“Fundamental rights and the rule of law must not be under debate. In democratic societies governed by the rule of law, fundamental rights are designed to protect individuals and minorities. Turning these rights into subjects of referendum campaigns undermines constitutional safeguards and opens the door to exclusion and discrimination. It is deeply alarming that the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, as the main majority dominating party, as well as other MPs from progressive parliamentary groups are not blocking this referendum process, which places the dignity and equal recognition of families under majoritarian political pressure.”
"The European Party calls on all democratic forces in the Seimas and across Europe to uphold equality and non-discrimination, defend the rule of law from populist misuse, and protect the dignity and rights of all families without exception."
Tomas Tomilinas, Member of the Lithuanian Parliament, and Committee Member of the European Green Party said:
"The populist right politicians pushing this referendum are certainly not doing so out of any care for families in Lithuania. For years they told us that supporting parents and children was too expensive. Now, instead of proposing systemic solutions to the real issues facing Lithuanian families, in social policy or in housing, they are weaponising LGBTQI+ people's rights to brew a culture war. Lithuania is on front lines of Russian aggression, we need a strong, united country, not a divided, weak one."