In the wake of mass protests, which he was part of himself, Benediktas Vanagas said he turned down an invitation to attend a reception on Tuesday for teams heading to January’s Dakar Rally. The event was to take place at the Lithuanian government, with prime minister Inga Ruginienė and her cabinet expected to attend.

The protests were sparked by plans in the Seimas to reform Lithuanian National Radio and Television, the country’s public service station, by making it easier to remove the broadcaster’s director general. Currently, the director general can be dismissed by a two-third majority in the 12-member LRT Council, while the new proposal is to make it happen on just a simple majority (seven of twelve).

The Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament and currently controlled by Ruginienė’s coalition government, supports the changes and claims it would ensure accountability from LRT in the content produced. This particularly comes after an audit of the broadcaster’s activities in November. Opponents argue the bill would weaken LRT into submitting to whoever is in power, turning it into nothing more than a propaganda outlet.

An LRT guide to the demonstrations noted the root of the proposal is difficult to trace, but the audit was launched by populist MPs from the Dawn of Nemunas party. This faction has been invariably described as pro-Russian, a contrast to Lithuania’s otherwise stout support for Ukraine and the West. Although the majority Social Democrats—which Ruginienė is from—falls under the latter camp, they also back the plan, in alignment with the rest of the coalition. Even before the protests, there has been increased concern that the coalition would mark a shift in the country’s foreign policy toward Russia akin to the Russophilic stances held by Slovakia, Hungary, and Georgia in defiance of the West.

Besides the Seimas’ opposition parties, the European Union’s agencies have also condemned the reform as a threat against media freedom.

As someone who also attended the protests, it seemed like a no-brainer that Vanagas would sit out the reception. He has been an ardent backer of the West and Ukraine, routinely donating equipment to Ukrainian troops.

“Everything is important: time, place and context. At the moment, it is essential to clearly identify priorities. There is no need to distract attention from fundamental issues that cause justified public concern,” he explained.

“In today’s context, we believe that we must pay attention to professionalism, the legitimacy of decisions made, and whether they shake the foundations of the state’s democracy.

“The progress of a state does not come from silence. Progress is created by people who dare to raise questions and are able to represent a value position.

“Let’s focus. The enemy is much closer than we think.”

2026 will be Vanagas’ 14th Dakar Rally.

Featured image credit: Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics