During a press conference at the Presidential Palace, G. Nausėda stated that there was a general agreement among political figures regarding Article 137 of the Constitution (ELTA). He reported that practically all party leaders expressed the view that the article is now obsolete and should be deleted rather than amended.
However, the presidential representative noted a subtle divergence in opinion concerning the precise mechanism for enacting this constitutional change. Nausėda detailed that while the general consensus was on deletion, the path to achieving it was debated. Specifically, a representative from Nemunas aušra suggested that a referendum might be the appropriate, albeit more protracted, method for repeal.
In contrast, Nausėda expressed the view that the Lithuanian Parliament, having received a mandate from the electorate, possessed the authority to make the decision internally. According to this perspective, the deletion could be achieved through a qualified majority vote of Members of Parliament, requiring 94 votes, consistent with established procedures for amending or abolishing constitutional articles. The discussion highlighted a key procedural debate: whether the mandate for change should come from a national vote via referendum or through the legislative body using its established constitutional powers.
This differing emphasis on process underscores the political weight attached to the repeal of Article 137.
Topics: #presidential #practically #all
