Vilniuse linnapea kogub allkirju, et sundida välismaalasi leedu keelt õppima(1)

The Mayor of Vilniuse, Valdas Benkunskas, has initiated a petition campaign advocating for legislative changes to mandate Lithuanian language acquisition for non-citizens residing temporarily in Lithuania. The primary goal of the initiative is to establish a requirement that foreign nationals, particularly those from within the European Union, must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in the Lithuanian language when renewing their residence permits. Currently, such a mandatory language requirement does not exist for temporary residents.

The linnapea argues that integrating newcomers into Lithuanian society necessitates a higher degree of linguistic competency among foreign residents. Benkunskas is calling for a formal amendment to the relevant legislation. Specifically, he proposes that the Lithuanian language proficiency test should be set at a minimum A2 level for all EU citizens seeking to extend their stay in the country.

This proposed measure aims to enhance social cohesion and facilitate better integration between temporary foreign residents and the local community within Vilniuse. The campaign emphasizes that strengthening the language skills of foreign residents is crucial for the smooth functioning of daily life and civic engagement within the republic. By enforcing a baseline standard of leedu knowledge, proponents suggest that the quality of life for both residents and the local infrastructure will benefit.

The vilniuse linnapea continues to push this proposal through public consultation and legislative channels to formalize the requirement.

Topics: #linnapea #leedu #vilniuse