Lithuania could allow nuclear weapons via lower-level law, PM suggests

Lithuania could potentially regulate the deployment of nuclear weapons through a "lower-level" legal act, bypassing a complex constitutional amendment, according to Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė. This streamlined approach would allow for quicker decisions if such a need arises.

"We are not talking about permission here and now – we are talking about a lower-level legal act that could allow the deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania," Ruginienė stated in a televised interview. She emphasized that amending the Constitution for such a decision could be a lengthy process, potentially leaving Lithuania vulnerable in security matters if an "extra case" occurred.

“

We are not talking about permission here and now – we are talking about a lower-level legal act that could allow the deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania.

Currently, Lithuania and Spain stand out among European nations for having constitutional provisions that would need modification to permit nuclear weapons on their territory. Ruginienė noted that most other European countries can address this through different legal frameworks, making their decision-making processes more agile.

The discussion follows reports that the United States is considering deploying nuclear weapons in additional NATO member states. Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas has indicated that Lithuania is not remaining on the sidelines of these discussions. The Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, has previously suggested the possibility of amending the relevant constitutional clause, a sentiment echoed by presidential advisor Ramūnas Vilpišauskas.

“

This is needed so that if such a decision is suddenly needed, it doesn't take us years to change the Constitution... and if it's an emergency case, we fall off the entire security map.