2019 Lithuanian constitutional referendum

{{Infobox referendum

| name = 2019 Lithuanian constitutional referendum

| country = Lithuania

| date = 12 May 2019

| outcome = Both measures rejected due to low turnout.

| voter_registration = 2486915

| part1_subject = Amendment of Article 55 of the Constitution to reduce the number of seats in the Seimas from 141 to 121

| part1_choice1= Yes

| part1_percentage1= 76.19

| part1_choice2= No

| part1_percentage2= 23.81

| part1_choice3= Invalid ballots

| part1_percentage3= 3.18

| part2_subject = Amendment of Article 12 of the Constitution to allow Lithuanians to hold dual citizenship

| part2_choice1= Yes

| part2_percentage1= 73.92

| part2_choice2= No

| part2_percentage2= 26.08

| part2_choice3= Invalid ballots

| part2_percentage3= 2.12

}}{{Politics of Lithuania}}

A constitutional referendum was held in Lithuania on 12 May 2019, alongside the first round of the presidential elections. Two proposals were put to voters – one to reduce the number of MPs in the Seimas from 141 to 121 and one to allow Lithuanians to hold dual citizenship with a list of countries meeting "European or transatlantic integration criteria," which would be determined by law.[https://bnn-news.com/week-in-lithuania-lithuania-to-hold-referendum-on-reducing-number-of-mps-197171 Week in Lithuania. Lithuania to hold referendum on reducing number of MPs] Baltic News Network, 17 February 2019 In order for the first constitutional amendment to be passed, voter turnout was required to be above 50%, and at least 33.3% of registered voters would have to vote in favour of the proposal. For the second amendment, at least 50% of registered voters would have to vote in favour of the proposal.

Despite 76% of those who voted voting in favour (equalling 35.3% of registered voters), the proposal to reduce the number of MPs failed as voter turnout (at 47%) was below the 50% threshold. The proposal on dual citizenship had a turnout of over 50% and was approved by 73% of those voting, but this amounted to only 38% of eligible voters.[https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/baigti-skaiciuoti-referendumu-rezultatai-referendumas-del-pilietybes-issaugojimo-ivyko-bet-balsu-uz-neuzteko.d?id=81148421 Baigti skaičiuoti referendumų rezultatai: referendumas dėl pilietybės išsaugojimo įvyko, bet balsų „už“ neužteko] Delfi, 13 May 2019

Background

The proposal to allow dual citizenship was approved by a vote in the Seimas in October, and would involve amending article 12 of the constitution.[https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=119&p_k=2&p_t=261811 Mandatory referendum on dual citizenship due to be held] Seimas In a draft constitutional law that sat alongside the proposal, this would be limited to member countries of the European Union, European Economic Area, NATO and the OECD and explicitly prohibit dual citizenship with countries involved in organisations based around the former Soviet Union, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, Collective Security Treaty Organization and Eurasian Economic Union.[https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAP/c3b17700bcda11e8aa33fe8f0fea665f Pilietybės konstitucinio įstatymo projektas] E-seimas

The proposal to reduce the number of MPs was suggested by the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union. Although it was initially rejected by the Seimas, it was approved in another vote on 14 February by a vote of 58–42.

An amendment to the Law on Referendums approved by the Seimas in December 2018 allowed polling places to be set up in foreign countries.[https://bnn-news.com/week-in-lithuania-president-signs-new-referendum-law-195635 Week in Lithuania. President signs new referendum law] Baltic News Network, 30 December 2018

Results

class=wikitable style=text-align:right

!rowspan=2|Question

!colspan=2|For

!colspan=2|Against

!rowspan=2|Invalid/
blank

!rowspan=2|Total
votes

!rowspan=2|Registered
voters

!rowspan=2|Turnout

!rowspan=2|Result

Votes

!%

!Votes

!%

align=left|Reducing the number of MPs876,84176.19274,09123.8137,8021,188,734rowspan=2|2,486,91547.80{{No2|Failed}}
align=left|Allowing dual citizenship with certain countries956,56473.92337,50426.0828,0671,322,13553.16{{No2|Failed}}
colspan=14 align=left|Source: [https://rezultatai.vrk.lt/index_en.html?srcUrl=/rinkimai/904/1/1666/rezultatai/en/rezultataiRefSavivaldybese.html VRK], [https://rezultatai.vrk.lt/index_en.html?srcUrl=/rinkimai/904/1/1664/rezultatai/en/rezultataiRefSavivaldybese.html VRK]

File:Lithuania dual citizenship constitutional referendum - potential countries 2019.png

References