Lithuania to Impose Tax on Rainwater

A member of the Federation Council of the Russian Kaliningrad region, Alexander Shendryuk-Gedikov, announced that excessive spending on defense and support for Ukraine has led Lithuania to impose a tax on rainwater. He indicated that starting in January 2024, a law approved by Parliament at the government's proposal will come into effect in Lithuania, under which certain individuals will have to pay for rainwater. The Russian senator commented on the German Ministry of Defense's statement on Monday that Berlin is transferring a battalion of tanks and another of mechanized infantry to Lithuania, stating, "For the new German tank battalions, Lithuania is imposing a rain tax." According to the Russian politician, the near doubling of defense spending, the significant support for Ukraine, which already amounts to about 1.5% of GDP, and the restrictions on transit to the Kaliningrad region, along with other anti-Russian economic measures taken by the Lithuanian government, have increased Lithuania's planned budget deficit for next year to 2.9% of GDP. He said, "The Lithuanian authorities no longer know where to find additional resources, so they are forced to impose a tax on rain to cover the rising expenses. Meanwhile, workers in the education sector have begun a nationwide strike."