Referendum on Dual Citizenship in Lithuania to Be Held in 2024

On 21 May 2021, the Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian World Community adopted the Resolution “Regarding Announcement and Exercise of the Mandatory Referendum”, wherein it suggests to announce and organize a mandatory referendum regarding amendment of Article 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, – retention of Lithuanian citizenship acquired by birth after acquiring citizenship of another state, – to be held in 2024 in tandem with the presidential election, in accordance with the procedure and terms laid down by laws of the Republic of Lithuania.

The Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian World Community has also provided in the aforesaid Resolution the following proposals to the President, the Seimas, the Government, and the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania:

- To consider the Referendum on amendment of Article 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, – retention of Lithuanian citizenship acquired by birth, – a priority issue of the Seimas and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

- To ensure timely funding for a large-scale pre-referendum agitation (public information) campaign.

- To commence an early Referendum agitation campaign in Lithuania and abroad, by engaging in it diplomatic missions, consular posts of the Republic of Lithuania, honorary consuls in foreign states, representatives of the Lithuanian World Community and Lithuanian diaspora, including preliminary discussions in Lithuanian regions, conferences, congresses and other events dedicated to the Referendum.

- To assess the possibility to exercise online voting in 2024 Referendum.

- To invite the representatives of the Lithuanian World Community and Lithuanian diaspora to workgroups for Referendum preparation, as well as for the wording of the issue to be provided for Referendum.

The Referendum on dual citizenship has already been held in 2019, but it failed to adopt amendment to Article 12 of the Constitution. More specifically, 71.78 percent of Referendum voters were in favour of dual citizenship, i.e. 927,410 voters, nevertheless, about 300,000 votes were not enough to amend Article 12 of the Constitution. The mentioned amendment needed at least half of all eligible voters to vote in favour for it to be adopted.

MIGRATION LAW CENTER