Lithuanian Leader Vytautas Sinica Warns Europe Must Strengthen Identity or Face Disappearance

Introduction: A Call for European Reaffirmation

Vytautas Sinica, the chairman of Lithuania's National Alliance, has issued a stark warning regarding the future of Europe, stating that the continent must 'strengthen its identity – or disappear'. His remarks underscore a growing debate within European political discourse concerning national sovereignty, cultural preservation, and the direction of the European Union.

Sinica's Stance on European Identity

Sinica, a prominent Lithuanian political scientist and far-right politician, articulated his views in a recent interview with The Baltic Times Magazine. He argues that mass migration and multiculturalism are eroding Europe's sense of security and identity. According to Sinica, Europe and the West face a critical choice: either embrace a stronger identity, rooted in Christianity as a civilizational foundation and nationalism as the basis of the state, or risk fading away due to a lack of solid foundations worth defending. He also cited external pressures, including 'Russian military aggression and forms of invasion from the Islamic world', as factors necessitating this re-evaluation.

The National Alliance's Ideology

As the leader of the National Alliance (Nacionalinis susivienijimas), a party founded on March 7, 2020, Sinica represents a national-conservative and socially conservative political force in Lithuania. The party's core focus is on national identity, traditional values, and the protection of Lithuanian culture and sovereignty. While the National Alliance does not advocate for Lithuania's withdrawal from the European Union, it strongly opposes further integration and calls for more powers to be returned to member states. The party also demands that the EU formally acknowledge its Christian heritage. Sinica, who was elected to the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) in the 2024 parliamentary election, is the party's first representative in the national legislature.

Broader Context of European Debate

Sinica's statements resonate within a broader European context where national conservative movements are gaining traction. He views the increasing popularity of such parties as a 'natural desire for survival' among nations. His past writings and interviews have consistently criticized Euro-federalism, arguing that it erodes the European Union and that the EU's attempts to foster a political European identity can undermine national loyalties. Despite these criticisms, public sentiment in Lithuania generally remains strongly pro-European, with a Eurobarometer survey indicating that 59% of Lithuanians are in favor of the EU. However, Sinica's perspective highlights a significant ideological current advocating for a re-emphasis on national and traditional values within the European framework.