Lithuania prepares to scrap constitutional ban on hosting nuclear weapons

The Lithuanian parliament has approved, in its first reading, a constitutional amendment that would lift the ban on stationing nuclear weapons and foreign military bases on the country's territory. According to public broadcaster LRT, 99 lawmakers voted in favour, 13 voted against, and five abstained.

What the amendment changes

Article 137 of the Lithuanian constitution currently explicitly bans the presence of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on Lithuanian soil. To lift this ban, parliament must hold two more votes, with at least three months between them. The first is scheduled for 6 October, and the final one for 12 January. Passing the amendment will require the support of at least 94 out of 141 lawmakers.

Arguments from both sides

Remigijus Motuzas, a Social Democrat and head of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, said Lithuania must show both allies and adversaries that it is ready to defend its independence by all available means. "We cannot afford to be less protected than other NATO countries," he stressed.

Opponents of the initiative question whether changing the constitution is necessary and fear that the move could be exploited by Russia and Belarus for propaganda purposes.

Source: novinky.cz