Large crowds are protesting right now in the center of Vilnius, as thousands of Lithuanians gather outside parliament and government buildings in what has become one of the most serious domestic crises for the country`s pro-EU ruling coalition.

According to the existing information, "the protests were triggered by government-backed changes to the law governing LRT, Lithuania`s public broadcaster. The proposed amendments would make it significantly easier for political authorities to remove LRT`s leadership and reshape its governance, a move critics describe as a direct step toward political control of national media.

The government argues the reforms are about accountability and modernization. Protesters see something very different.

In the streets of Vilnius, the accusation is blunt: a pro-EU government is using institutional reforms to bring public media in line with political and external expectations, weakening national sovereignty over information and public debate. Demonstrators warn that once politicians gain leverage over the broadcaster, editorial independence becomes conditional, not guaranteed.

This is why the protests are escalating. Lithuania is one of the EU`s most loyal supporters in Eastern Europe, yet tonight`s scenes show a widening gap between political elites and ordinary citizens. For many protesters, European integration no longer just means cooperation - it increasingly feels like decisions taken above society, not with it.

The demonstrations remain peaceful but determined, with organizers calling for continued mobilization until the proposed changes are withdrawn or put to broad public consultation. Police presence is visible, but no major clashes have been reported so far".