Lithuanian army to guard government and parliament buildings under martial law
Lithuania's parliament, the Seimas, has passed amendments requiring the Armed Forces commander to provide military protection for top state institutions if martial law is declared. A separate change defines the work of the president, parliament and government as vital state functions.
The Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, has adopted amendments to the law on martial law. If martial law is declared in the country, the commander of the Armed Forces will have to ensure the security and military protection of the highest state institutions. The proposal was put forward by Seimas Speaker Jozas Olekas and received 102 votes in the 141-seat chamber.
What the amendments say
The commander will be responsible for guarding the Seimas building, government buildings, the president's residence and their grounds. If members of parliament, the government or the president cannot work, gather or hold meetings in their usual buildings, the commander must also provide security and armed protection for temporary workplaces they designate.
Until now, the legislation in force did not directly require the Armed Forces commander to protect government institutions when martial law is declared.
Changes to mobilisation rules
The Seimas also approved Olekas's amendments to the Law on Mobilisation and Host Nation Support. They establish that national defence and the operation of the three main state institutions – the president, the Seimas and the government – are vital state functions.
Under the new provisions, institutions performing important state functions will carry out their national mobilisation tasks using funds allocated to them under the budget law. At present, important state functions are defined and specified in secondary legislation by government decision.
