74-498: Rolandas Paksas ( Lithuanian: [rɔˈɫɐ̂ˑndɐs ˈpaːksɐs] ; born 10 June 1956) is a Lithuanian politician who served as the sixth president of Lithuania from 2003 until his impeachment in April 2004. He previously served two terms as the prime minister of Lithuania in 1999, and again from 2000 to 2001, and as Mayor of Vilnius from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2000 to 2001. He led Order and Justice from 2004 to 2016 and
148-856: 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 the Fifth Seimas). The council adopted the Provisional Basic Law that served as a temporary constitution and worked on
222-509: 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
296-464: 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 the democratically elected government was replaced with the authoritarian rule of Antanas Smetona . The Third Seimas
370-741: A degree in civil engineering in 1979. In 1984, he graduated from the Leningrad Civil Aviation Academy . During this period, he competed in aerobatics competitions, participating in both Soviet and Lithuanian teams and winning several championships. From 1992 to 1997, Rolandas Paksas was the President of the construction company "Restako" . Paksas, a former member of the Communist Party of Lithuania (LKP) and its leftist successor Democratic Labour Party (LDDP) in 1995 switched his political orientation in favour of
444-409: 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
518-620: A major campaign donor, leading to his impeachment and removal from office in April 2004. He was the first European head of state to have been impeached. Barred from the Seimas , Paksas was elected to the European Parliament in 2009 , while leading his party, now called Order and Justice (TT). His lifetime ban from the Seimas was ruled to be disproportionate measure by the European Court of Human Rights in 2011. In 2018
592-486: 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,
666-560: 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 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
740-562: A president. The Lithuanian president has somewhat more executive authority than their counterparts in neighboring Estonia and Latvia ; the Lithuanian president's function is very similar to that of the presidents of France and Romania . Similarly to them, but unlike presidents in a fully presidential system such as the United States , the Lithuanian president generally has the most authority in foreign affairs. In addition to
814-435: 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
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#1732801068124888-415: A significant role in domestic policy, possessing the right to submit bills to the Seimas and to veto laws passed by it, appointing the prime minister and approving the government formed by them, and also having the right to dissolve the Seimas and call snap elections following a successful motion of no confidence or if the Seimas refuses to approve the government's budget within sixty days. However,
962-511: 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 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
1036-628: 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
1110-471: Is Gitanas Nausėda who assumed office on July 12, 2019. To be eligible for election, candidates must be at least 40 years old on the election day and reside in Lithuania for at least three years, in addition to satisfying the eligibility criteria for a member of the parliament. A person who has been removed from office through impeachment for breach of constitution or an oath of office may not be elected as
1184-402: Is also a former member of both Soviet and Lithuanian national aerobatic teams, and a skilled stunt pilot who currently performs around the world. In 2006, Rolandas Paksas made a 47-day flight around the world, a trip which started and ended at Kyviškės airfield . President of Lithuania The president of the Republic of Lithuania ( Lithuanian : Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas )
1258-635: 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 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
1332-612: Is the head of state of the Republic of Lithuania . The president directs and appoints the executive branch of the Government of Lithuania , represents the nation internationally and is the commander-in-chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces . The president is directly elected by the citizens of Lithuania for a five-year term, with the office holder limited to serving two terms consecutively. The current president
1406-541: 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 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
1480-510: 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 ,
1554-402: 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 was won by the (ex-communist) Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania , which gained 73 of
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#17328010681241628-658: 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 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
1702-596: The Liberal Union of Lithuania (LLS) in 2000. The LLS won the 2000 election , and Paksas became prime minister again, but he left within seven months after another dispute over economic reforms. In 2002, Paksas founded the Liberal Democratic Party , and ran for the presidency , winning the run-off against incumbent Valdas Adamkus in January 2003. It emerged that he had granted citizenship to
1776-585: 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 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
1850-648: The Seimas ' 138 seats and were part of an 81-member coalition with the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party . In June 1999, he became prime minister, heading the ninth Government after independence. Five months later, he resigned because of a disagreement over the sale of Mažeikių Nafta , a major Lithuanian oil refining company, to a US oil company. He then served as Special Assignments envoy to Adamkus. After leaving Homeland Union, Paksas joined Liberal Union of Lithuania and in April 2000, he became Mayor of Vilnius again. In 2000, he
1924-677: 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
1998-485: 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
2072-498: 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 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
2146-621: 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 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
2220-472: 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
2294-795: 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
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2368-459: 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
2442-590: 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 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
2516-531: 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
2590-553: 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 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
2664-661: 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
2738-401: 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 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
2812-623: The Seimas passed a constitutional amendment barring impeached persons from standing for the presidency for five years following impeachment. Following an appeal by Paksas' supporters, the Constitutional Court of Lithuania ruled the amendment unconstitutional, holding instead that persons who had violated the Constitution or failed to uphold their oaths of office could never again hold public offices that required an oath. The District Court of Vilnius found Paksas not guilty of disclosing classified information (state secrets). This decision
2886-429: 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
2960-548: The Seimas to be disproportionate and thus in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights . In September 2018, Paksas suspended his membership in the Order and Justice party. But he is still not be allowed to run for president or become the Speaker of the Seimas due to his refusal to be associated with party decisions. Rolandas Paksas is married to Laima Paksienė and has two children; Inga and Mindaugas. He
3034-460: The Seimas voted on three charges: that he had leaked classified information about his investigation to Borisov; that he had improperly restored Borisov's citizenship; and that he had interfered in a privatization transaction. The vote passed, effectively removing Paksas from the presidency. Paksas expressed an intent to run in the June presidential election that was to replace him. In response, on 4 May
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3108-567: 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 ,
3182-606: The amendment which would allow Paksas to run for the Seimas was submitted. But he will not be allowed to run for president or become the speaker of the Seimas. He is considered to be the worst President of Lithuania in modern history. Paksas was born in Telšiai to Feliksas and Elena. In 1974, he attended Zemaites High School and continued his studies at the Vilnius Civil Engineering Institute (now Vilnius Gediminas Technical University ). Paksas received
3256-408: 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
3330-543: The conservative right Homeland Union (Lithuanian Conservatives) . In 1997, Paksas was elected to the Vilnius City Council and became Mayor of Vilnius . Paksas also served as chairman of the Vilnius branch of the Homeland Union (Lithuanian Conservatives) . In May 1999, Gediminas Vagnorius stepped down as prime minister and President Valdas Adamkus asked Paksas to replace him. The Conservatives had 68 of
3404-429: 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 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
3478-570: The customary diplomatic powers of Heads of State, namely receiving the letters of credence of foreign ambassadors and signing treaties , the president determines Lithuania's basic foreign policy guidelines. The president is also the commander-in-chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces , and accordingly heads the State Defense Council and has the right to appoint the Chief of Defence (subject to Seimas consent). The president also has
3552-410: 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
3626-490: 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
3700-473: 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
3774-423: 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 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
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#17328010681243848-422: 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
3922-545: 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 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
3996-523: 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
4070-548: 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
4144-494: The next elected Seimas may retaliate by calling for an earlier presidential election. Finally, the president ensures an effective judiciary, being responsible for nominating one third of the judges of the Constitutional Court , and the entirety of the Supreme Court , for appointment by the Seimas; the president also has the right to directly appoint all other judges. Under the Constitution of Lithuania adopted in 1992,
4218-621: 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
4292-418: 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
4366-449: 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,
4440-455: The president is elected to a five-year term under a modified two-round system : a candidate requires an absolute majority of the vote and either voter turnout to be above 50% or for their vote share to be equivalent to at least one-third of the number of registered voters to win the election in the first round. If no candidate does so, the two candidates with the most votes face each other in a second round held two weeks later. Upon taking office,
4514-487: The president must suspend any formal membership in a political party. If the president dies or becomes incapacitated while in office, the Speaker of the Seimas assumes the office until a new president can be inaugurated following fresh elections. Seimas Opposition (55) The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania ( Lithuanian : Lietuvos Respublikos Seimas ), or simply the Seimas ( / ˈ s eɪ m ə s / SAY -məs ; Lithuanian: [ˈsɛɪˑmɐs] ),
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#17328010681244588-660: 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 the president. After the Soviet ultimatum in June 1940 and subsequent occupation, the Fourth Seimas was dismissed and a puppet People's Seimas
4662-595: 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
4736-514: The runoff, he gathered 54.9%. His platform included pledges to reduce poverty and income disparities, fight corruption, introduce the death penalty for drug traffickers, and move Lithuania towards a more market-based economy . On 26 February 2003 his term as president began. During his term, concerns arose that he had ties to the Russian mafia . Yuri Borisov , president of the aviation company Avia Baltika , had donated $ 400,000 to his campaign, and
4810-556: 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,
4884-543: 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 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
4958-474: 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
5032-449: Was a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2019. A national aerobatics champion in the 1980s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union , Paksas founded a construction company, Restako. In 1997, he was elected to the Vilnius City Council for the centre-right Homeland Union and became mayor . In May 1999, Paksas was appointed prime minister, but resigned five months later after a disagreement over privatisation . Paksas joined
5106-444: 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 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
5180-453: 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 was elected to a five-year term. With opposition parties effectively barred from participating, Lithuanian Nationalists Union got 42 (of 49) seats, with
5254-411: Was elected as the Prime Minister in the eleventh Cabinet and served from November 2000 to June 2001. In March 2002, Paksas was elected as a chairman of his newly founded Liberal Democratic Party . On 5 January 2003, he was elected President of Lithuania, after a surprise win over the incumbent Valdas Adamkus in a runoff. In the first round of elections, Paksas finished second with 19.7% of vote but, in
5328-618: 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 was accepted on August 3, 1940), adopted a new constitution and renamed itself to the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR ,
5402-547: Was given Lithuanian citizenship by Paksas' decree. This decree was later ruled to be unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Lithuania . Paksas' connections were investigated by the State Security Department of Lithuania . In early 2004, the Seimas started impeachment proceedings against him. On 31 March 2004, the Constitutional Court of Lithuania found him guilty of violating the Constitution of Lithuania and his oath of office. On 6 April 2004,
5476-563: Was reversed in 2005 by the Court of Appeals of the Republic of Lithuania , on the basis that the District Court had not linked all the supporting evidence. The Appeals Court, while finding Paksas guilty of a criminal act, did not impose a penalty, stating that Paksas's departure from public service meant that he no longer posed a threat. In 2011, the European Court of Human Rights found the lifetime prohibition for Paksas to be elected to
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