The politics of Lithuanian citizenship: aspects of the persistence of ethnic identity

Changes in the migration process and the dynamic movement of people doubtless encourage states to review their principles of migration policy and their conception of citizenship in adjusting to current realities. With respect to citizenship policy, particularly in the 21st century, there are facts of immigration, on the one hand, and facts of emigration, on the other, which together largely determine the concept and development of the citizenship institute. The goal of this paper is to bring to light the influence the concept of ethnic citizenship and the factor of emigration exert on the formation of citizenship policy and to identify their regulation in legal acts. The article describes the theoretical conception of ethnic citizenship and the factors that determinine citizenship policy, and it brings out the indicators used for the analysis of principles regulated by the laws. Because it associates its citizenship institute with an ethnic cultural community of common origin, Lithuania fits the ethnic model of citizenship. The following relevant principles are codified and institutionalized in the Republic of Lithuania’s citizenship laws: (1) an unequivocal principle of jus sanguinis for citizenship and an unrestricted transfer of citizenship according to origin under all circumstances; (2) the legalization after the occupation of the continuity of the citizenship institute; and (3) a simplified retention or acquisition or reestablishment of citizenship for persons of Lithuanian origin. This systematic analysis permits the goal of the citizenship policy being formed to be identified: to preserve ties, in the context of emigration, with ethnic (former) citizens, subject to a hugely qualified prohibition of dual citizenship for Lithuanians who have emigrated after the restoration of independence and have acquired another state’s citizenshipPolitikos mokslų ir diplomatijos fakult.Vytauto Didžiojo universiteta