Kasčiūnas on Nausėda's LRT Council Appointment: 'I Would Have Chosen Differently'

Lithuanian politician L. Kasčiūnas expressed that he would have selected a different candidate for the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) council if he were in President G. Nausėda's position. Kasčiūnas acknowledged the president's legal right to make the appointment but suggested an alternative choice would have been preferable.

"We have the consequence of a political decision and criticism, which is evident and now divides society on the one hand, and possibly politicizes the LRT council itself," Kasčiūnas told journalists. The appointment of lawyer L. Meškauskaitė to the LRT council by President Nausėda has sparked public debate and criticism from some media representatives and politicians.

Meškauskaitė, a specialist in media law, human rights, and constitutional, civil, and criminal law, also serves as an associate professor at Vilnius University and Mykolas Romeris University. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas in 2004. Her appointment came after Giedrius Jucevičius resigned from the council. The president had also considered lawyer Vytis Turonis for the position.

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, leader of the Liberal Movement, commented that the candidates considered by the president indicate a need for Lithuania to revisit discussions on depoliticizing the public broadcaster's council.