Agnė Širinskienė: the amendment regarding the prohibition of 'filibusters' may be unconstitutional
Agnė Širinskienė expresses concerns that an amendment banning filibustering could violate constitutional rights in Lithuania.
Agnė Širinskienė, a member of the Lithuanian Parliament's Legal Affairs and Administration Committee, has voiced her apprehensions regarding a proposed amendment that seeks to impose restrictions on filibustering within the parliamentary process. She argues that this amendment contradicts the constitutionally protected right of legislators to propose laws without limitations. Širinskienė's statements highlight the ongoing tension between legislative procedure and constitutional rights in Lithuania.
Furthermore, she emphasizes that any measure preventing the submission of repeated proposals could be seen as an infringement on the constitutional rights of parliament members. As the Seimas (Parliament) faces critical decisions, these legal interpretations could impact how legislative debates unfold in the future. This situation underscores the broader implications of legislative changes and their alignment with constitutional provisions.
Širinskienė warns of the potential embarrassment for the Seimas if such a law were to be enacted and subsequently challenged in the Constitutional Court. Her remarks reflect a cautionary approach towards modifying parliamentary rules, suggesting that fidelity to the constitution must be maintained to uphold the integrity of the legislative body. This issue not only concerns Lithuanian lawmakers but also poses questions about the balance of power and the protection of democratic processes.