Page 15 - CE Outlook Regions 2022

unsatisfied with the ruling coalition.

It was criticised for handling the concurrent major crises stemming from
an unprecendented influx of irregular migrants through the
Belarusian-Lithuanian border and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many conservatives were discontented over the HU-LCD’s support for
same-sex partnerships, though the bill failed to pass, and for
decriminalisation of soft drugs, though that also failed.
Lithuania’s COVID-19 caseload per 100 inhabitants was the highest in
the EU throughout October and the first half of 2021.

A number of Lithuanian and international NGOs and rights groups have
criticised the country's policies towards irregular migrants. The
government's measures violate human rights, according to them.

Of particular concern are legislative changes adopted in July, allowing
authorities to detain irregular migrants for up to six months. In early
August 2021, the interior ministry ordered border guards to turn
migrants back at the border without listening to their asylum requests.

Over 4,100 migrants have crossed into Lithuania from Belarus over the
last several months, an unprecedented hike in irregular migration.

Vilnius officials have accused Minsk of orchestrating migrant smuggling,
calling it a “hybrid attack” on Lithuania and the EU. Previously, Lithuania
was offering a “humanitarian corridor” to Belarusian dissidents.

Lithuania was also embarrassed as Belarus’ Belaruskali products
continue to be transported via Lithuania even after US sanctions
against Belarus' potash giant came into force.

At the same time Lithuania also significantly strained its relations with
China over Taiwan in 2021, which will cost it ca 1-1.5% of the 2022
GDP, some analysts point out.

China downgraded in November its diplomatic relations with Lithuania,
after it allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy there.

With a new parliamentary election to be held in Lithuania in 2024, the
year of 2022 is likely to produce new political parties, based on national
platforms.
Leftwing nationalist former PM Saiulius Skverneli’s new party “The
Democratic Party for Lithuania” may stir up Lithuanian politics
particularly loudly in 2022.
The new party was announced by 13 parliament members, most of
whom broke away from the Farmers and Greens Union.

According to Skvernelis, the party will be a centre-left political force with
“state management experience and capable of taking responsibility for
the country’s present and future”.
Skvernelis was a prime minister in the LFGU’s cabinet, as well as the
party’s candidate in the 2019 presidential election. He helped boost the
party’s popularity and contributed to its victory in the 2016

15 CE Outlook 2022 www.intellinews.com