Lithuania had been informed by the European Commission that legislation restricting the right of the EU citizens residing in Lithuania to participate in activities of political parties did not meet the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. This prompted a draft law which if not passed could have resulted in financial sanctions.
The draft law adopted on Wednesday will ensure the right of foreigners residing in Lithuania to become candidates in municipal or the European Parliament elections on the same conditions as the citizens of Lithuania.
Only citizens of other EU countries who have legally resided in Lithuania for the past five years will be authorised to become political party members.
