On Tuesday, the Seimas of Lithuania decided to reconsider the law on the Klaipeda Sea Port, vetoed last week by President Gitanas Nausėda, which allowed the entry of nuclear armed ships into the country.
A total of 104 deputies voted for the reconsideration of the law, while three opposed it. The parliament will continue to review the bill on May 21.
In his veto, the head of state noted that the law adopted on May 7 allows the entry of nuclear ships if it does not contradict national security interests. According to him, this violates the Constitution, which categorically prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in Lithuania without any exceptions.
The president proposes to establish a complete ban on the entry of nuclear armed ships into the port of Klaipeda, leaving a limited exception for vessels with nuclear power plants, provided it does not threaten the security of the state.
In Nausėda's opinion, the presence of nuclear weapons from allies on Lithuanian territory could serve as a proportional deterrent against armed attacks from hostile states; however, legal use of such weapons would require a constitutional amendment.
The president's chief advisor Ramūnas Dilba, presenting the veto in the Seimas, stated that Nausėda supports discussions on amendments to the Constitution.
"During the discussion, it will become clear whether the Constitution needs to be amended," Dilba noted on Tuesday.
Member of the Democratic faction "For Lithuania" Dainius Varnas expressed doubts that the entry of nuclear armed ships contradicts the Constitution.
"Does it really contradict the Constitution? Upon joining NATO, we agreed to all the conditions. The entry of such ships for defense purposes is necessary for Lithuania's security. Perhaps the Constitution only speaks of permanent deployment. Nuclear weapons can serve as a deterrent, considering that opponents have deployed them in Belarus," Varnas said.
"The Constitution explicitly states that nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction cannot be on the territory of Lithuania," countered presidential advisor Dilba.
Conservative Arvydas Anušauskas reminded that the Constitutional Court adopted a separate ruling on foreign military bases back in 2011.
"It mentions the exception of bases controlled by other entities. Legally, foreign military personnel can be present if the bases are owned by Lithuania. By analogy, a visit from allies with nuclear weapons or nuclear installations may be required for military deterrence," the parliamentarian noted.
Liberal Eugenijus Gentvilas pointed out that the port's water area is not always considered Lithuanian territory: "If the cargo is not unloaded, it remains in the water area. But I do not oppose the president's veto."
He also reminded about France's proposal for a nuclear shield for Europe: "Lithuania has also expressed a desire to be under such a shield. This should also be taken into account."
The parliamentarian suggested that the president initiate a review of the provisions of the Constitution in collaboration with the factions of the Seimas and constitutional law experts.
In response to a question from Agrarian representative Valius Ažuolas about ships with nuclear engines, Dilba explained that under the current law, they are prohibited unless it does not contradict national security interests.
"Icebreakers often have nuclear engines. The Baltic Sea sometimes freezes, and there may be situations where assistance is needed," Ažuolas said.
Conservative Valdas Rakutis called the equating of ships with nuclear installations to nuclear weapons a misunderstanding: "It is just an engine, and they are being made with very low power lately. There will also be proposals for their construction in Lithuania."
Additionally, the president proposes to move the date of the law's entry into force from June 1 to July 1, as the reconsideration may take time.
