Lithuania

Under Article 38 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, the family is the basis of society and the State, and family, motherhood, fatherhood, and childhood shall be under the protection and care of the State. Even though the Constitution provides that families are the basis of society and what the concept of marriage is, there are still disagreements between legal scholars, lawyers, and politicians as to what ‘family’ actually means. The state’s obligation to protect families under the Constitution entails not only providing a regulatory framework for creating a family, but also the ability of the family members to make their own decisions in deciding what is best for them and their families.

On March 20th, the Lithuanian Free Market Institute with its unique program of youth debates, Freedom Talks, opened Global Money Week at the Bank of Lithuania. At the inaugural event school youth teams met in a tournament to debate \"Do we need money?\" and \"Can we buy anything with money?\"

Economic freedom in the world has declined to a record low, shows the Economic Freedom Index published by the Fraser Institute. The recent World Economic Freedom Index is based on data for 2020 but it shows a clear trend: as the government sector grows, it is becoming harder for citizens and businesses to breathe. The Fraser Institute analysts say this is largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some time ago, the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy issued recommendations for the public sector, households, and businesses on how to save energy. The recommendation was to disconnect hot water in administrative premises and reduce heating to 19 degrees and cooling to 27 degrees. They also advised public officials to work from home.

In today\'s world, there is a shortage of workers everywhere. And we\'re used to it. But when staff shortages hit airlines, it comes as a shock to many. A lack of pilots and flight attendants, a lack of baggage handlers. Every day there are hundreds of suitcases that don\'t reach their final destination.

A second initiative to collect signatures to support a petition calling for an unconditional, universal basic income (UBI) for all citizens in the European Union (EU) has ended. The required one million signatures were never reached. Why?

After months of debate, in late 2022, the Lithuanian Parliament passed into law a package of legislative amendments that reforms Lithuania\'s migration system. The reform creates more favorable conditions for the recruitment of non-EU nationals.

Elena Leontjeva, the co-founder and President of the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI), is named the recipient of Sir Antony Fisher Achievement Award. Leontjeva has been honoured for her lifetime of service to the liberty movement by Atlas Network.

On the May 11, Lithuania celebrates The Day of Respect for the Taxpayers. On this occasion, the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI) stresses that a public sector that serves its citizens and creates value is an expression of respect for taxpayers.

According to the annual “Rainbow Europe Map” by the ILGA-Europe, Lithuania ranked 34th among 49 European countries in terms of legal protections for LGBT+ persons in 2020.