A controversial political party known for its leader’s antisemitic views is set to join the Lithuanian government, sparking outrage and concern among the country’s Jewish community.
The Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, a coalition party that won the most seats in the recent parliamentary elections, has announced that it will form a government with the support of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance, a far-right party led by Valdemar Tomaševski.
Tomaševski has a long history of making antisemitic and xenophobic remarks, including calling Jews “troublemakers” and blaming them for various societal problems. His party has also been criticized for its discriminatory policies towards ethnic minorities, including the Jewish community.
The decision to include the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance in the government has been met with widespread condemnation from human rights groups, political opponents, and the Jewish community. Many fear that the party’s presence in the government will embolden and legitimize antisemitic and xenophobic attitudes in Lithuanian society.
Lithuania has a troubled history with antisemitism, dating back to the Holocaust when tens of thousands of Lithuanian Jews were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of antisemitic incidents in the country, including vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and Holocaust memorials.
The decision to allow a party with a leader known for antisemitism to join the government is a troubling development that raises serious questions about the state of democracy and human rights in Lithuania. It sends a dangerous message that hate speech and discrimination are acceptable in political discourse, and threatens the safety and security of minority communities in the country.
It is imperative that the international community, as well as civil society organizations within Lithuania, speak out against this decision and hold the government accountable for its actions. Antisemitism and xenophobia have no place in a democratic society, and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
The Lithuanian government must take immediate steps to address the concerns of the Jewish community and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, are treated with dignity and respect. Failure to do so could have serious consequences for the future of democracy and human rights in Lithuania.
