Lithuania's Land Referendum Highlights a Broader EU Problem

Only a week after a referendum against immigration in Switzerland led to tensions with the European Union, another country could face a similar situation. In Lithuania, a group of farmers, unions and political parties have collected enough signatures to organize a referendum against removing a ban on the sale of land to foreigners. Since Lithuania agreed with the European Union to lift these restrictions by midyear, keeping them would put Vilnius in violation of European laws. The referendum is a reminder of the fragile balance between sovereignty and supranationalism that defines the European Union and the growing gap between European citizens and national and supranational bureaucracy. While the Lithuanian government can take measures to avert a serious rift with the European Union in the short term, these episodes will become more frequent across the Continent in coming years.