TITLE: Lithuania's Government Advances Amendment to Competition Act Article 44
BODY:
On July 17, 2026, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania registered a draft government resolution proposing amendments to Article 44 of the Competition Act of the Republic of Lithuania (No. VIII-1099). The Ministry of Economy and Innovation prepared the draft, with Kęstutis Šukvietis serving as the lead official.
The amendment underwent multiple rounds of consultation. The initial consultation period ran from March 30 to April 7, 2026, engaging the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Justice, the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, the Lithuanian Trade Association, the Lithuanian Business Confederation, the National Courts Administration, the State Consumer Rights Protection Service, and the Investor's Forum association. Following revisions, a second consultation period occurred from June 16 to June 23, 2026, with expanded participation including the Judges' Council alongside the previously consulted bodies. The Competition Council, State Consumer Rights Protection Service, and Ministry of Justice confirmed their agreement with the revised draft on June 19 and June 23, 2026, respectively.
The draft resolution was resubmitted on July 17, 2026, following its initial registration on March 30, 2026. The project carries registration number 26-4582(4) and has been formally submitted to the Government for consideration. No direct connection to European Union legislation has been identified for this amendment. The specific substantive changes proposed to Article 44 remain detailed in the accompanying documentation, which includes coordination notes and supporting materials available through the Lithuanian legislative portal.