"In my opinion, we should understand that we are all Lithuanian citizens. And there should be equal conditions for all Lithuanian citizens. It means that there should be no signs that are spelled in two languages, if we respect our state, our Constitution and laws of our state," the prime minister said in an interview with BNS, stressing that there can be no exceptions in this case.
Representing the Polish minority in Lithuania, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, a member of Butkevičius' ruling coalition, wants the legalization of bilingual signs in areas dominated by Polish-speakers.
Currently, bilingual street signs on the walls of some houses in Vilnius and Šalčininkai Districts are in place illegally, despite court rulings ordering them to be removed. Based on media reports, such signs are even found on the houses of several members of the Seimas.
The Butkevičius government's program includes a commitment to draft a Law on National Minorities and resolve the issue of the spelling of street and location names pursuant to the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
The convention sates that "in areas traditionally inhabited by substantial numbers of persons belonging to a national minority, the Parties shall endeavour, in the framework of their legal system, including, where appropriate, agreements with other States, and taking into account their specific conditions, to display traditional local names, street names and other topographical indications intended for the public also in the minority language when there is a sufficient demand for such indications."
Lithuanian officials underline that this provision does not mean an obligation to legalize bilingual signs and is only a recommendation.
