Lithuania: Belaruskali threatens Conservatives-led Cabinet

Despite two major concurrent crises – the combustible situation on Lithuania’s border with Belarus and the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s ruling party, the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (HU-LCD), known as Conservatives colloquially, have been ensconced cosily behind the Social Democrats in many recent party support polls. But a major test to the HU-LCD-orchestrated…

Lithuania: Vilnius taken unawares by Belaruskali’s agreement with Lithuanian Railways

Lithuania’s transport minister has asked the government commission vetting strategic companies’ deals to evaluate the existing contract between Lithuanian Railways and the Belarusian fertilizer producer Belaruskali. The state-owned railway company continues to transport Belaruskali products even as US sanctions come into force. Lithuanian Railways said that it had received pre-payment from Belaruskali and would continue…

Lithuania: politicians call for language tests for foreign workers

Lithuanian politicians have proposed harmonising language requirements for all foreigners working in the country’s service sector. Currently, only those with employment contracts must take the Lithuanian language exam. But self-employed foreigners say the exam is unnecessary and would be hard to pass for some. Beardland, a barbershop in Vilnius, employs only foreigners. None of them…