A constitutional referendum will be held in Lithuania on 12 May 2024 alongside the first round of the presidential elections.[1] Voters will be asked whether they approve of a constitutional amendment to allow Lithuanians to hold multiple citizenships.

Background

As holding dual citizenship is banned in most cases,[1] around 1,000 Lithuanian citizens give up their citizenship each year to take another citizenship.[2]

A referendum on the same issue was held in 2019. Although 74% voted in favour, the number voting in favour was below the 50% of all registered voters required to validate the referendum.

The holding of the 2024 referendum was approved by the Seimas on 23 May 2023 by a vote of 111–0.[1]

Campaign

The "Yes" vote has been endorsed by presidential candidates Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Aurelijus Veryga and Dainius Žalimas, as well as most political parties.[3]

Position Name Ideology Ref
check Yes Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS–LKD) Christian democracy
Liberal conservatism
Lithuanian nationalism
Pro-Europeanism		 [3]
Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) Social democracy
Pro-Europeanism		 [3]
Labour Party (DP) Populism [3]
Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (DSVL) Social conservatism
Green conservatism
Pro-Europeanism		 [3]
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) Centrism
Agrarianism
Green conservatism
Social conservatism		 [3]
Freedom Party (LP) Liberalism
Progressivism
Pro-Europeanism		 [3]
Liberals' Movement (LRLS) Liberalism
Classical liberalism
Conservative liberalism
Pro-Europeanism		 [3]
Lithuanian Green Party (LŽP) Green liberalism
Pro-Europeanism		 [4]

A study by the Government of Lithuania showed that 60 percent of respondents intend to participate in the referendum.[5]

Opinion polls

Pollster Fieldwork date Sample size
For Against Other/
Undecided
Vilmorus 22 November–2 December 2023 1,000 51.7 33.2 15.1
Baltijos tyrimai 23 October–7 November 2023 1,013 60 26 14
2019 referendum 1,322,135 73.92 26.08 -

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Lithuania to hold multiple citizenship referendum in 2024". LRT. 23 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "Lithuania's dual citizenship referendum – meaning and myths". LRT. 17 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Valiauskaitė, Aistė (2023-11-20). "Parlamentinės partijos ir jų kandidatai į prezidentus remia referendumą dėl pilietybės". LRT (in Lithuanian).
  4. ↑ "Lietuvos žaliųjų partija referendume ragina palaikyti dvigubos pilietybės idėją". Lithuanian Green Party (in Lithuanian). 22 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Tyrimas: kitąmet vyksiančiame pilietybės referendume dalyvautų 60 proc. gyventojų". 15min.lt (in Lithuanian). 2023-11-14.
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