Farmers who protested outside the Seimas on Thursday are planning another action next week, this time lasting two days, according to Audrius Vanagas, chairman of the Lithuanian Grain Growers Association (LGAA).
"Additional actions will take place on June 25-26. Next week, we will discuss with the community the scale and principles by which the upcoming protests will be held," A. Vanagas told Elta, who does not yet know how many people would participate in the event.
"Events are still hot, our farmers have seen the attitude of the ruling majority towards them, specifically the Social Democrats, because very few of them came to us to speak out. We have heard accusations against us from individual politicians, the community is extremely sensitive to all this," the LGAA chairman assured.
According to him, Thursday's protest was a success in demonstrating the will of farmers on issues that are relevant to them. A. Vanagas was also among the agricultural representatives who met with the Prime Minister during the protest.
"We showed our position on tax issues and demonstrated that farmers are not treated the same way because of the way certain groups of society are treated. That position led to demands, and we addressed them to members of the Seimas and the Prime Minister," said the LGAA chairman.
However, he believes that the value of the discussion will only become clear when Seimas will vote again and incorporate farmers' wishes into the draft laws. Their greatest dissatisfaction is caused by the planned amendments to the Personal Income Tax (PIT) Law.
"We have already discussed specific things with the Prime Minister: he told us what else he can and cannot do. However, until those discussions are reflected in draft laws, everything remains in limbo," said A. Vanagas.
M. Skamarakas submitted a proposal to the Seimas for a more favorable GPM law for farmers.
On Thursday, Social Democrat Matas Skamarakas registered his proposal to the Seimas, which would provide that the income of persons engaged in agricultural activities, not exceeding 36 average wages (VMU) per year (next year - about 83 thousand euros), would be taxed at a rate of 15 percent.
At that time, income exceeding the amount of 36 VMU would be subject to a 20 percent GPT.
On June 19, farmers gathered near the Seimas to protest against the government's tax reform and demand that parliament reduce the proposed GPM rates. In the warning protest "NO to the tax bulldozer", farmers showed up with several hundred tractors.
ELTA reminds you that next week the Seimas plans to vote for the last time on the changes to the property tax and real estate tax that have caused the most debate.
After deliberation, it was agreed to tax residents' income more progressively from 2026, at three rates - 20, 25, and 32 percent.
However The Seimas Initiatives were born to apply income tax benefits to farmers – it was proposed to tax their income up to 12 average wages (VMU) per year (next year – about 27,6 thousand euros) at 5 percent, from 12 to 36 VMU (about 83 thousand euros) – at 15 percent, and for income above 36 VMU at 20 percent. The Seimas rejected this initiative.
A proposal was also registered that farmers' income would be taxed at two rates - 15 and 20 percent, depending on whether they received less or more than 60 VMU income per year (approximately 138 thousand euros per year).
The tax changes should take effect from 2026.
Vygantas Tuzas (ELTA)
