Lithuanian Government proposes preserving Family Council status

The Lithuanian Cabinet has proposed that the Seimas consider maintaining the National Family Council as a budgetary institution. While the Cabinet generally approved a conclusion prepared by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (SADM), the decision was not unanimous.

Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė opposed the initial proposal to strip the Council of its budgetary status, arguing that doing so would weaken independent family policy analysis and hinder the Seimas's ability to oversee family policy. She also expressed disagreement with a proposal to abandon the principle of paternal and maternal complementarity, which ensures family support accounts for a child's need for both parents.

Health Minister Linas Kukuraitis suggested a compromise, proposing that the Seimas evaluate the possibility of not restructuring the Council at all to ensure it can fulfill its assigned functions. He noted that while the institution is small, it performs significant work in the country's family formation policy.