Lithuanian social security minister questions need for family definition referendum

Lithuania's Social Security and Labour Minister Inga Ruginienė has questioned whether an advisory referendum on the constitutional definition of family is needed. She argues that current legislation already provides a clear framework, and that holding the vote would cost about €5.5 million. The issue has also become a source of tension inside the governing coalition.

Speaking to LRT RADIO on Tuesday, the minister said she did not understand the purpose of such a referendum, since the constitution already defines the concept of family and a separate law on families uses very clear wording. She added that the cost was a further reason for concern.

What the proposal involves

A draft parliamentary resolution calling for the referendum was approved at the initial presentation stage in early April, but further consideration has stalled in parliamentary committees. Voters would be asked whether they support explicitly establishing in the constitution that family legal relations arise only from the marriage of a man and a woman, motherhood and fatherhood. The possible answers would be "Yes" or "No". Under the draft, the referendum would be held alongside municipal elections in March 2027.

Current rules

The Lithuanian constitution says that family is the foundation of society and the state, and that the state protects and fosters family, motherhood, fatherhood and childhood. It also states that marriage is only between a man and a woman. The Constitutional Court has previously ruled that these provisions do not mean family can be based only on marriage and parenthood, nor that unmarried or same-sex couples are excluded.

Political context

President Gitanas Nausėda told BNS last week that he believed parliament should call the advisory referendum, and that he would support the constitutional wording proposed by its initiators. In late October, the junior coalition partner, the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, urged the Social Democrats to bring the proposal back to the parliamentary chamber, linking the matter to its support for next year's state budget. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said last week that this condition was unacceptable.