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65-487: The Second Seimas of Lithuania was the second parliament ( Seimas ) democratically elected in Lithuania after it declared independence on February 16, 1918. It was the only regular interwar Seimas which completed its full three-year term from May 1923 to March 1926. tions The First Seimas , elected in fall 1922, was in virtual deadlock as no party or coalition could gain a majority. President Aleksandras Stulginskis

130-485: A broad land reform and introduced Litas as the national currency. The First Seimas of Lithuania was the first parliament of Lithuania elected in accordance with the constitution of 1922. The election took place on October 10–11, 1922. However, no party was able to form a sustainable coalition and the Seimas was dissolved on March 12, 1923. New elections were held on May 12 and May 13. The Second Seimas of Lithuania

195-456: A coalition government since 2016), National Resurrection Party (part of the ruling coalition between 2008 and 2011, when it merged into Liberal and Centre Union) and Liberal Movement (part of the ruling coalition between 2008 and 2012). The sittings of the Seimas are presided over by the Speaker of the Seimas or a Deputy Speaker. The first sitting of the Seimas after an election is opened by

260-409: A four-year term in parallel voting , with 71 members elected in single-seat constituencies and 70 members elected by proportional representation . Ordinary elections to the Seimas take place on the second Sunday of October, with the voting open for all citizens of Lithuania who are at least 18 years old. Members of Parliament in the 71 single-seat constituencies are elected in a majority vote, with

325-486: A minor party in the preceding parliament, won a sweeping victory, securing 54 seats in the Twelfth Seimas (eventually rising to 59 as they were joined by several independents). The Social Democrats lost a lot of their support and finished with 17 seats (they were joined in the Seimas by the two members of Labour Party), but remained as a junior partner in the ruling coalition with Peasants and Greens Union. By 2019,

390-435: A run-off held within 15 days, if necessary. The remaining 70 seats are allocated to the participating political parties using the largest remainder method . Parties normally need to receive at least 5% (7% for multi-party electoral lists) of the votes to be eligible for a seat. Candidates take the seats allocated to their parties based on the preference lists submitted before the election and adjusted by preference votes given by

455-628: A social democrat, became the prime minister less than a year later. This term of the Seimas saw Lithuania fulfilling its long-term foreign policy goals of joining NATO and the European Union . Speaker of the Seimas Artūras Paulauskas also served for two months in 2004 as the Acting President of Lithuania after the impeachement of Rolandas Paksas and before the new election took place. The Social Democrats remained at

520-702: Is the current Speaker of the Seimas. Treaty of Salynas When Jogaila , the Grand Duke of Lithuania, married Jadwiga of Poland and was crowned as King of Poland in 1386, he appointed his unpopular brother Skirgaila as viceroy for Lithuania. Vytautas seized the opportunity to renew his struggle for power and started the Lithuanian Civil War of 1389–1392 . He allied himself with the Teutonic Knights, promising them Samogitia . However, Jogaila and Vytautas reconciled in 1392 by signing

585-567: The 2012 parliamentary election . The Social Democrats became the largest party in the Eleventh Seimas , with 38 seats, forming a government coalition with Labour Party (19 seats), Order and Justice (11 seats) and Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania (8 seats). Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania withdrawn from the coalition in 2014. Elections in 2016 resulted in a smaller shift of power. Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union ,

650-771: The Seventh Seimas was held on October 20, 1996 with the run-off on November 10. The election was won by the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Conservative Party, which gained 70 seats and formed a coalition with the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party (16 seats). Later part of the term of the Seimas was again characterized by an economic crisis, brought about by Russian financial crisis of 1998 . In addition, several high-profile privatizations were undertaken, including that of Mazeikiu Nafta oil refinery. Vytautas Landsbergis served as

715-614: The Tatars . The treaty also guaranteed freedom of trade. Sigismund Kęstutaitis and other hostages kept by the Knights since the Civil War were released. During the week-long celebration following successful negotiations, Lithuanian nobles proclaimed Vytautas as King of Lithuania . While such a declaration had no political force, it was a reply to demands by Jadwiga of Poland to pay Polish taxes. It showed their determination to keep

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780-476: The Treaty of Astrava . The Knights, betrayed by Vytautas, invaded Lithuania in 1394 and unsuccessfully besieged Vilnius for three weeks. The invaders were driven away by joint Lithuanian and Polish forces, demonstrating that the old raids were no longer effective against the new Polish–Lithuanian alliance. A truce between Vytautas and the Knights was signed in 1396. Vytautas needed to secure his western front as he

845-689: The Union of Lublin . The Union created a new state, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth , and joined the Seimas of Lithuania with the Sejm of Poland into a single Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth . By this time, 40 Seimas of Lithuania had taken place. Nobles of Lithuania continued to meet until the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth under the name of Lithuanian Convocations. They debated matters concerning

910-501: The Vilnius Region . The last cabinet was formed by Leonas Bistras . Despite apparent political instability the Seimas managed to introduce some economic stability. The country, after years of World War I and Independence Wars, entered a peaceful period. The Seimas continued the land reform, expanded the network of primary and secondary schools, introduced social support systems. Seimas Opposition (55) The Seimas of

975-754: The elections in 2024 , the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania is the largest party in the Seimas, signing an agreement to form a coalition government with the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" and the Dawn of Nemunas . The Seimas traces its origins to the Seimas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth , as well as the Seimas of inter-war Lithuania. The first Seimas after

1040-535: The 15th century to about 150 senators and 200 deputies in the 18th century. Early sejms have seen mostly majority voting, but beginning in the 17th century, unanimous voting became more common, and 32 sejms were vetoed with the infamous liberum veto , particularly in the first half of the 18th century. This vetoing procedure has been credited with significantly paralyzing the Commonwealth governance. In addition, beginning in 1573, three special types of sejms handled

1105-593: The Constitution itself need to be approved in two votes separated by no less than three months, by a 2/3 majority. Changes to international borders of Lithuania need to be approved by 4/5 of the members of the Seimas. The Seimas approves or rejects the candidate for the Prime Minister nominated by the President. The Seimas must also give its assent to the newly formed Government and its programme before

1170-795: The Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, proposed by the President. In its legislative capacity, the Seimas also sets the basis for a judiciary institution advising and, to some extent, binding the President in appointing, promoting or dismissing other judges. The Seimas also establishes and disestablishes ministries of the Government, establishes state awards, can declare martial law and emergencies, start mobilization and introduce direct local rule on municipalities. The Seimas has 141 members, elected to

1235-627: The Fifth Seimas). The council adopted the Provisional Basic Law that served as a temporary constitution and worked on the Constitution of Lithuania that was submitted and approved by voters in a referendum on October 25, 1992 . Seven elections of the Seimas have since taken place under the constitution. The first election in independent Lithuania was held on October 25, 1992, with a run-off on November 15. The election

1300-459: The Government can start their work. The Government remains accountable to the Seimas for its activities. If the Seimas expresses no-confidence in the Prime Minister or the Government as a whole, the Government must resign and can ask the president to call an early election. Members of Seimas have legal immunity and cannot be arrested or detained without the consent of the vote of Seimas. The Seimas appoints and dismisses justices and presidents of

1365-557: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania or tried to establish a common position among Lithuanian delegates before departing for the Sejm of the Commonwealth. The Sejm of the Commonwealth, General Sejm, was the parliament of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from the Union of Lublin until the late 18th century. The sejm was a powerful political institution, and from early 16th century, the Polish king (who was

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1430-537: The Grand Duchy of Lithuania separate from the Kingdom of Poland despite the Union of Krewo in 1385. Such a proclamation, known only from the chronicles of Johann von Posilge , raised doubts as to reliability among Polish historians. The treaty is noted among Lithuanian historians as it showed the extent of Vytautas' power in Lithuania: he made territorial concessions without approval from Jogaila, who theoretically

1495-444: The Grand Duke of Lithuania) could not pass laws without the approval of that body. Duration and frequencies of the sejms changed over time, with the six-week sejm session convened every two years being most common. Sejm locations changed throughout history, eventually with the Commonwealth capital of Warsaw emerging as the primary location. The number of sejm deputies and senators grew over time, from about 70 senators and 50 deputies in

1560-649: The Nevėžis River, leaving the mouth of Nevėžis in Vytautas' hands. For the first time the Order also received a portion of Sudovia , an almost uninhabited territory north and west of the Šešupė River . The treaty recognized spheres of influence: Veliky Novgorod for Vytautas and Pskov for the Knights. Vytautas also promised to help the Knights build two new castles as compensation for castles he burned in 1392. The Knights promised to help Vytautas in his campaign against

1625-583: The Peasants and People's Party, and the Liberal and Centre Union , although the coalition had to rule in a minority and relied on support of opposition parties. New Union (Social Liberals) later rejoined the coalition in early 2008. Česlovas Juršėnas once again became the Speaker of the Seimas in April 2008. The Tenth Seimas was elected on October 12, 2008, with a run-off on October 26. Homeland Union became

1690-661: The President is abroad or is incapable to exercise the duties of the office. The Speaker of the Seimas, in such a situation, does not have the full powers of the President. The Speaker of the Seimas and the Deputy Speakers are responsible to the Seimas for their activities, answering questions submitted by the members of the parliament. Under the Statute of the Seimas, the Speakers of the Seimas suspend membership in their political groups upon election. Saulius Skvernelis

1755-476: The Prime Minister and the Government and controlling their activities. Its 141 members are elected for a four-year term, with 71 elected in individual constituencies, and 70 elected in a nationwide vote based on open list proportional representation . A party must receive at least 5%, and a multi-party union at least 7%, of the national vote to qualify for the proportional representation seats. Following

1820-522: The Republic of Lithuania ( Lithuanian : Lietuvos Respublikos Seimas ), or simply the Seimas ( / ˈ s eɪ m ə s / SAY -məs ; Lithuanian: [ˈsɛɪˑmɐs] ), is the unicameral legislative body of the Republic of Lithuania . The Seimas constitutes the legislative branch of government in Lithuania , enacting laws and amendments to the Constitution , passing the budget, confirming

1885-687: The Russian Empire and achieve this by peaceful means. It is considered an important step towards the Act of Independence of Lithuania, adopted on February 16, 1918 by the Council of Lithuania, as the Seimas laid the groundwork for the establishment of an independent Lithuanian state. The first widely elected body in Lithuania after the declaration of independence on February 16, 1918, was the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania . The election

1950-594: The Second Statute of Lithuania , the Seimas acquired full legislative powers, acting as the lower house of the parliament, with the Lithuanian Council of Lords as the upper house. It was at this point that elections to the Seimas were introduced (local nobles would elect their delegates) – any noble could participate in the Seimas before. Seimas of the Grand Dutchy was abolished in 1569, with

2015-429: The Seimas ratifies international treaties. Decisions of the Seimas are taken in open simple majority votes. In some cases prescribed by law, a secret ballot is held, for example in expressing no-confidence in the government. Constitutional laws are adopted by the Seimas in a majority vote and can be changed only by a 3/5 majority vote. The list of constitutional laws needs to be approved in a 3/5 majority vote. Changes to

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2080-567: The Speaker of the Seimas during the term. The Eighth Seimas was elected on October 8, 2000. Liberal Union of Lithuania won the most seats of any party in the election, with 33, forming the government with New Union (Social Liberals) (its leader, Artūras Paulauskas becoming the Speaker of the Seimas), Lithuanian Centre Union and the Modern Christian Democrats. The coalition was short-lived and Algirdas Brazauskas ,

2145-414: The army and had to call the Seimas more frequently. In exchange for increased taxation, the nobility demanded various privileges, including strengthening the Seimas. At first the Seimas did not have the legislative power. It would debate on foreign and domestic affairs, taxes, wars and treasury. At this time, there were no rules regulating how frequently the Seimas would assemble, who could participate, how

2210-408: The coalition included two other parties (Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania and Order and Justice), but the latter was expelled in the same year. The Thirteenth Seimas was elected in two rounds on 11 and 25 October 2020 and resulted in an upheaval of the government. The previously dominant Farmers and Greens Union lost much of their support, finishing in second place with 32 seats, and entering

2275-416: The democratically elected government was replaced with the authoritarian rule of Antanas Smetona . The Third Seimas was dissolved on March 12, 1927 and new elections were not called until 1936. The Fourth Seimas of Lithuania was elected on 9 and 10 June 1936. Elections took place under the constitution of 1928, which had been proclaimed by president Smetona without the assent of the Seimas. The parliament

2340-410: The eldest member of the Seimas. The Speaker of the Seimas represents the Seimas and directs its work. Under the legislative procedure, the Speaker submits the laws adopted by the Seimas to the President and may sign and proclaim the laws that are not signed or returned by the President in due time. The Speaker of the Seimas may temporarily act as the President or deputise for President in cases where

2405-490: The election in 1996, gaining 70 seats and governing with the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party . The two parties merged in 2008 under the banner of Homeland Union, winning the election in the same year with 45 seats. Other parties that have gained at least 10 seats in any election to the Seimas are Centre Union of Lithuania , New Union (Social Liberals) (part of the ruling coalition between 2001 and 2008, later merged with Labour Party ), Liberal Union of Lithuania (part of

2470-757: The fall of 1401 the Knights raided Kaunas and Hrodna ; in May 1402 the Samogitians burned Klaipėda . Vytautas joined the conflict in 1402 by attacking Gotteswerder . Jogaila's brother Švitrigaila joined the war on the side of the Teutonic Knights as he had laid claim to the throne of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He confirmed the Treaty of Salynas in exchange for Order's military assistance. Neither side could achieve decisive victory, however, and Vytautas wished to concentrate his attention on troubles in Smolensk , so

2535-473: The first female Speaker of the Seimas. The term of the Tenth Seimas was plagued a severe economic crisis and the bust of the housing bubble. The Seimas and the Government responded with a wide-ranging and much-criticized tax reform and severe austerity, bringing about wide dissatisfaction and protests. As a result of widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition, the ruling parties fared poorly in

2600-422: The government in 2001. The two parties merged under the banner of Social Democratic Party of Lithuania and formed the government after the elections of 2004 and 2012 , and participated in the government as a junior partner after the elections of 2016 . Sąjūdis , which had led Lithuania into independence, finished distant second in 1992. Its right wing formed the Homeland Union , a conservative party which won

2665-523: The helm of the government after the 2004 parliamentary election , which was held on October 10, with the run-off on October 24. The party was the third-largest in the Ninth Seimas after the election with 20 seats, behind Labour Party with 39 and Homeland Union (Lithuanian Conservatives) with 25, but managed to govern together with New Union (Social Liberals) (11 seats), the Labour Party and

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2730-548: The largest party with 45 seats, forming a coalition with populist and short-lived National Resurrection Party (16 seats), Liberal Movement (11 seats) and Liberal and Centre Union (8 seats). Arūnas Valinskas of the National Resurrection Party was elected the Speaker of the Seimas. Ten months later, on September 17, 2009, he was replaced by Irena Degutienė of the Homeland Union, who became

2795-524: The new cabinet of ministers. The Christian Democrats were not inclined to satisfy the demands and the coalition broke apart in June 1924. The Christian Democrats reelected Stulginskis as the President of Lithuania and Ernestas Galvanauskas as the Prime Minister . The new cabinet of ministers included two Populists: Ministers of Internal Affairs and Transport. However, the government was not stable and

2860-621: The opposition along with their previous partners. The Homeland Union finished first with 50 seats and formed a centre-right coalition government with the Liberal Movement (13 seats) and the newly formed Freedom Party (11 seats). Elections in 2024 , held on 13 and 27 October 2024 to determine the composition of the Fourteenth Seimas , again resulted in an overturning of the government. The previously dominant Homeland Union finished in second place with 28 seats and entered

2925-418: The opposition along with their previous partners. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party finished first with 52 seats and formed a centre-left coalition with two newly formed parties: the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (14 seats) and Dawn of Nemunas (20 seats). The inclusion of Dawn of Nemunas in the ruling coalition sparked local and international backlash due to past anti-Semitic statements made by

2990-449: The party's founder. The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania exercises legislative power in Lithuania. The powers of the Seimas are defined by the Constitution and the laws of Lithuania. The primary function of the Seimas is to consider, adopt and issue laws and amendments to the Constitution. The Seimas also approves the state budget proposed by the Government, supervises its implementation, and sets state taxation. In foreign relations,

3055-693: The president. After the Soviet ultimatum in June 1940 and subsequent occupation, the Fourth Seimas was dismissed and a puppet People's Seimas was elected in a heavily rigged elections, in order to give legal sanction to the occupation and annexation of Lithuania by the Soviet Union. The new parliament proclaimed the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, petitioned for admission to the Soviet Union (a petition that

3120-533: The process of the royal election in the interregnum period. The Great Seimas of Vilnius was a major assembly held on December 4 and 5, 1905 in Vilnius, Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire, largely inspired by the Russian Revolution of 1905 . It was the first modern national congress in Lithuania, with over 2,000 participants. The assembly made the decision to demand wide political autonomy within

3185-529: The restoration of independence of Lithuania convened in 1992. The first traces of large nobility meetings can be found in the negotiations for Treaty of Salynas in 1398. However, it is considered that the first Seimas met in Hrodna in 1445 during talks between Casimir IV Jagiellon and the Council of Lords. As the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars raged, the Grand Duke needed more tax revenues to finance

3250-595: The ruling coalition between 2000 and 2001, later merged with the Centre Union of Lithuania to form Liberal and Centre Union ), Labour Party (part of the ruling coalition between 2004 and 2008, as well as between 2012 and 2016), Order and Justice (part of the ruling coalition between 2012 and 2016), Liberal and Centre Union (part of the ruling coalition between 2008 and 2012, later merged with YES to form Lithuanian Freedom Union ), Peasants and New Democratic Party Union (now Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union , leading

3315-604: The second half of 14th century, and accepted that it was in the Teutonic Order's sphere of influence. This caused Pskov to accept the suzerainty of the Great Duchy of Moscow in 1399. In March 1401, Vytautas signed the Union of Vilnius and Radom in January 1401. Assured of Polish support, he violated the treaty, supporting a local rebellion of the Samogitians , capturing and burning the two newly built castles. In

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3380-457: The sessions should take place or what functions the Seimas had. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Seimas acquired some legislative powers and could petition the Grand Duke to pass certain laws, which the Duke usually granted in exchange for nobility's support and cooperation in taxation and war matters. Major reforms were carried out between 1564 and 1566, just before the Union of Lublin. In

3445-556: The support of other parties. It was the first time since independence that a ruling government survived an election. Artūras Paulauskas was reelected as the Speaker of the Seimas, but was replaced by Viktoras Muntianas in 2006. In 2006, the Labour Party left the coalition when its leader was removed from the post of Minister of Economy and the Social Democrats formed a coalition with the Civil Democracy Party,

3510-463: The tomb of Dorothy of Montau , and sent him gifts. However, disagreements soon arose when the Order demanded the return of about 4000 peasants who had escaped into Lithuania. Vytautas argued that they were free people and had the right to choose where to live. The disagreement grew into a war. Vytautas renounced the Lithuanian sovereignty over Pskov which had been under Lithuanian influence in

3575-474: The voters. Seven elections of the Seimas have been held in Lithuania since independence in 1990. Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania won the absolute majority of seats in the first election in 1992 , the only time it has been achieved in independent Lithuania as of 2015. The party suffered electoral setback in 1996 , but remained a major electoral force in the election of 2000 (in cooperation with Social Democratic Party of Lithuania ), allowing it to form

3640-582: Was elected on May 8–10, 1926, with the Christian Democrats in opposition for the first time. The Lithuanian Popular Peasants' Union and Social Democrats formed a coalition government which lifted martial law, restored democratic freedoms, and declared broad amnesty to political prisoners. However, the government was sharply criticized following some unpopular decisions. The Seimas was interrupted by 1926 Lithuanian coup d'état in December, when

3705-736: Was accepted on August 3, 1940), adopted a new constitution and renamed itself to the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR , a rubber stamp legislature. On March 11, 1990, the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR proclaimed the independence of Lithuania from the Soviet Union , renaming itself the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania (also called Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas, and regarded as

3770-418: Was elected to a five-year term. With opposition parties effectively barred from participating, Lithuanian Nationalists Union got 42 (of 49) seats, with the remaining seven seats taken by the Young Lithuania, a youth branch of the Nationalists Union. The primary task of the new Seimas was to adopt a new constitution, which was accomplished on 11 February 1938. The new constitution provided for even more powers to

3835-481: Was forced to dissolve it on March 12, 1923. The elections to a new Seimas took place on May 12 and May 13, 1923. The Christian Democrats gained two additional seats which were enough to give them a slim majority. At first they tried to form a coalition with the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union . The Populists demanded lifting the martial law (introduced during the Lithuanian Wars of Independence ), prohibiting political campaigning in churches, and three portfolios in

3900-413: Was forced to resign in June 1924 after the coalition with Populists collapsed. The new cabinet, headed by Antanas Tumėnas , managed to stay in power only for seven months. In January 1925 Vytautas Petrulis was asked to form a new cabinet. It resigned in September 1925 when it agreed to neutralize the Neman River and allow international traffic, which primarily benefited Poland, an enemy of Lithuania over

3965-443: Was held on April 14–15, 1920. The voter turnout reached about 90%. The primary role of the Constituent Assembly was to adopt the Constitution of Lithuania , which was accomplished on August 1, 1922. The new constitution gave broad powers to the parliament, the Seimas, elected to a three-year term. Seimas would select the Cabinet of Ministers and elect the President. In addition, the Constituent Assembly adopted numerous laws, including

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4030-405: Was planning a massive campaign against the Golden Horde , which resulted in a disaster at the Battle of the Vorskla River in 1399. Vytautas' friend and former captive, Marquard von Salzbach , helped to negotiate the agreement. A preliminary treaty was signed on 23 March 1398, in Hrodna ; it was finalized in October 1398. According to the treaty Samogitia was ceded to the Knights roughly up to

4095-478: Was the Supreme Duke of Lithuania. After signing the treaty, the Order attempted to take control of Samogitia. They took many hostages into Prussia and presented Samogitian nobles with gifts such as wool, salt, and clothes. They also built fortresses – one with Vytautas' help near the Nevėžis River and another (named Friedeburg) near Dubysa . The Knights tried to maintain a friendly relationship with Vytautas, warmly welcoming his wife Anna during her pilgrimage to

4160-438: Was the only regular interwar Seimas which completed its full three-year term. The Christian Democrats gained two additional seats which were enough to give them a slim majority. The Seimas continued the land reform, expanded the network of primary and secondary schools and introduced a system of social support. However, it did not bring political stability, as it saw several short-lived governments. The Third Seimas of Lithuania

4225-513: Was won by the (ex-communist) Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania , which gained 73 of the 141 seats in the Sixth Seimas . Algirdas Brazauskas was elected the first speaker of the Seimas on November 25, 1992, becoming the acting President on the same day. Česlovas Juršėnas then became the acting (and later permanent) Speaker of the Seimas. The period was plagued by poor economic situation and financial scandals, including one involving former Prime Minister Adolfas Šleževičius . The election to

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