Minister criticises Vilnius policy to end written Russian-language requests

Lithuania’s Social Security and Labour Minister Inga Ruginienė has publicly criticized the Vilnius city government’s decision to cease accepting written requests and complaints in Russian, warning that the move could exacerbate social exclusion among minority communities. Speaking to the radio station Žinių Radijas on Tuesday, Ruginienė expressed concern over the policy, which she described as potentially divisive. She emphasized her support for Lithuanian as the national language but highlighted the continued reliance of some residents, particularly older individuals, on Russian for communication. The Vilnius municipality announced its new policy last week, stating that written applications and complaints will no longer be accepted in Russian. According to the city’s announcement, information in Russian and other non-EU languages will only be available verbally, contingent upon the availability of bilingual staff. This change includes the removal of Russian from the municipality’s website and administrative queue management systems. The decision marks a shift toward prioritizing Lithuanian in public services, aligning with broader national efforts to promote the state language. Ruginienė argued that the policy raises questions about inclusivity and respect for linguistic diversity. She stated, “To me, this is also a matter of respect.” She further questioned whether the policy might create a sense of division, suggesting it could lead to the categorization of citizens based on their language skills. Her comments reflect growing concerns within certain segments of society about how language policies affect community cohesion and access to public services. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, who belongs to the same ruling party as Ruginienė, also voiced skepticism about the decision. He raised doubts about the motivations behind the policy, questioning whether it was driven by genuine efforts to improve communication or served as a political maneuver. His remarks underscored the potential for controversy surrounding the issue, especially given the sensitivity of language-related policies in a multilingual nation. In response, Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas defended the policy as part of a “consistent approach” to language use within the municipality. He stressed that the decision was made to ensure clarity and efficiency in service delivery while respecting the rights of all residents. At the same time, the mayor acknowledged the need for greater linguistic integration and outlined plans to enhance Lithuanian-language learning opportunities for foreign residents. As part of these initiatives, the municipality announced that more than 1,000 individuals are expected to participate in free Lithuanian-language courses and remote learning programs this year. Additional funding of 300,000 euros has been allocated to support these educational efforts. These measures aim to facilitate smoother integration for non-native speakers while reinforcing the role of Lithuanian as the primary administrative language. The debate highlights the complex interplay between language policy, social inclusion, and governance in Lithuania. While the government seeks to standardize public administration through the use of Lithuanian, critics argue that such measures risk marginalizing communities that rely on Russian for daily interactions. As discussions continue, the outcome of this policy could have lasting implications for both local governance and societal dynamics.