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Not to be confused with Saeima.

Key Information

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The Seimas of the Lithuanian Republic (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Respublikos Seimas), or simply the Seimas (/ˈseɪməs/ 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 the Prime Minister and the Government and controlling their activities. 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.

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.[1] 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 the Dawn of Nemunas.[2]

History

[edit]

Origins

[edit]
Sejm session at the Royal Castle, Warsaw, 1622
Main article: Seimas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

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.[3] 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.[3] 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 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.[3]

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 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 the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. By this time, 40 Seimas of Lithuania had taken place.[3]

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.[3]

Main article: General Sejm

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 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 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 the process of the royal election in the interregnum period.

Main article: Great Seimas of Vilnius

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 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.

Interwar period

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The location of the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania in Kaunas (interwar period)
The Second Seimas in 1923

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, a rubber stamp legislature.

Parliament Seats Term Prime ministers
Constituent Assembly 150 1920–1922 Kazys Grinius
First Seimas 78 1922–1923 Ernestas Galvanauskas
Second Seimas 78 1923–1926 Ernestas Galvanauskas, Antanas Tumėnas, Vytautas Petrulis, Leonas Bistras
Third Seimas 85 1926–1927 Mykolas Sleževičius, Augustinas Voldemaras
Fourth Seimas 49 1936–1940 Juozas Tūbelis, Vladas Mironas, Jonas Černius, Antanas Merkys

Since 1990

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Vytautas Landsbergis was the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Lithuania

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 the Constitution of Lithuania that was submitted and approved by voters in a referendum on October 25, 1992.[4]

Seven elections of the Seimas have since taken place under the constitution.

Vytautas Landsbergis near the primary doors of the Seimas Palace with the recently added Vytis above them, in 1990.

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 the 141 seats in the Sixth Seimas.[5] 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.[6] The period was plagued by poor economic situation and financial scandals, including one involving former Prime Minister Adolfas Šleževičius.[7]

The election to 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).[7] Later part of the term of the Seimas was again characterized by an economic crisis, brought about by the 1998 Russian financial crisis. In addition, several high-profile privatizations were undertaken, including that of Mazeikiu Nafta oil refinery.[8] Vytautas Landsbergis served as 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,[8] 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, a social democrat, became the prime minister less than a year later.[9] 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.[10]

The Social Democrats remained at 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,[11] but managed to govern together with New Union (Social Liberals) (11 seats), the Labour Party and 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, 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.[12] New Union (Social Liberals) later rejoined the coalition in early 2008.[13] 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 the largest party with 45 seats,[14] 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,[15] who became the first female Speaker of the Seimas.[16] 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.[17]

As a result of widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition, the ruling parties fared poorly in 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.[18]

Elections in 2016 resulted in a smaller shift of power. Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, 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.[19] By 2019, 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 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).[20]

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 the opposition along with their previous partners. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party finished first with 52 seats[21] 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).[22] The inclusion of Dawn of Nemunas in the ruling coalition sparked local and international backlash due to past anti-Semitic statements made by the party's founder.[23]

Parliamentary mandate

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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, the Seimas ratifies international treaties.[24]

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 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.[25]

The Seimas approves or rejects the candidate for the Prime Minister nominated by the President.[26] The Seimas must also give its assent to the newly formed Government and its programme before 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[27]: 228  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.[28]

The Seimas appoints and dismisses justices and presidents of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, proposed by the President.[25] 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.[27]: 261–262 

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.

Elections

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Main article: Elections in Lithuania
Session hall

Electoral process

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The Seimas has 141 members, elected to a four-year term in parallel voting, with 71 members elected in single-seat constituencies and 70 members elected by proportional representation.[29] 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 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 the voters.[29]

Latest election

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Main article: 2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election
Politics of Lithuania
Coat of arms of Lithuania
Constitution
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
General Prosecution
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

Parliamentary elections were held in Lithuania on 13 and 27 October 2024 to elect the 141 members of the Seimas. Members were elected in 71 single-member constituencies using the two-round system, and the remaining 70 in a single nationwide constituency using proportional representation. The first round was held on 13 October and the second round on 27 October.[30][31][32]

The elections were won by the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP),[33] which secured 19.32% of the popular vote and 52 seats, up from 9.58% and 13 seats in the previous elections in 2020. The Homeland Union (TS–LKD), the largest party in the ruling centre-right coalition in the preceding Seimas, finished a distant second, securing 28 seats, down from its previous 50.

Following the first round of the election, the Social Democrats entered into coalition talks with the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS) and the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (DSVL), which had split from the latter. After the second round, the consultations were expanded to include the Liberals' Movement (LS), which had been part of the outgoing conservative-led coalition, and Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), a new nationalist party that finished in third place overall.[34]

The LSDP eventually reached a deal with DSVL and PPNA to form a coalition government.[35] The Social Democrats' decision to include the Dawn of Nemunas party, whose founder is known for making controversial statements, prompted domestic and international backlash.[36][37]

Previous elections

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Nine 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,[5] 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 the government in 2001. The two parties merged in 2001 under the banner of Social Democratic Party of Lithuania and formed the government after the elections of 2004, 2012, and 2024. The Social Democratic Party also 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 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. The Homeland Union returned to power following its victory in the 2020 election.

Other parties that have gained at least 10 seats in any election to the Seimas are:

Election Turnout Largest parties/lists
Name Seats
1992 75.3% Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania 73
Sąjūdis 30
Coalition: Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party, Lithuanian Union of Political Prisoners and Deportees, Lithuanian Democratic Party 18
1996 52.9% Homeland Union – Lithuanian Conservatives 70
Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party 16
Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania 12
2000 58.6% Social-Democratic Coalition of Algirdas Brazauskas 51
Liberal Union of Lithuania 33
New Union (Social Liberals) 28
2004 46.1% Labour Party 39
Working for Lithuania: Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, New Union (Social Liberals) 31
Homeland Union (Lithuanian Conservatives) 25
2008 48.59% Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 45
Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 25
National Resurrection Party 16
2012 52.93% Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 38
Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 33
Labour Party 29
2016 50.64% Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union 54
Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 31
Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 17
2020 47.54% Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 50
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union 32
Social Democratic Party of Lithuania
Liberal Movement		 13
2024 52.20% Social Democratic Party of Lithuania 52
Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats 28
Dawn of Nemunas 20

Historical composition

[edit]
  LDDP
  LSDP
  LRP
  NS
  NDP
  DSVL
  DP
  LP
  LVŽS
  LVP
  DK
  Others
  Independent
  Vacant
  Sąjūdis
  LPKTS
  LLS
  LiCS
  LCS
  LS
  TPP
  TS–LKD
  LKDP
  MKD
  LRS
  LLRA–KŠS
  TT
  LTS
  PPNA
1992
73 8 2 1 30 4 2 14 4 3
1996
12 12 1 1 4 4 4 1 1 13 70 16 1 1
2000
26 19 28 3 4 4 3 1 33 2 8 2 3 3 2
2004
20 11 39 10 6 18 25 2 10
2008
25 1 10 3 4 8 11 16 45 3 15
2012
38 29 1 7 3 1 10 33 8 11
2016
17 2 54 3 4 14 31 8 8
2020
13 3 10 11 32 2 4 13 50 3
2024
52 14 8 2 2 12 28 3 20

Speaker of the Parliament

[edit]
Main article: List of speakers of the Seimas

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 the eldest member of the Seimas.[25]

The Speaker of the Seimas represents the Seimas and directs its work.[38] 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 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.[25]

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.[39]

Juozas Olekas is the current Speaker of the Seimas.

Parliamentary operations

[edit]

The operations of the Seimas are primarily governed by the Constitution of Lithuania and the Statute of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

Legislative procedure

[edit]

The right of legislative initiative in the Seimas belongs to the members of the Seimas, the President, and the Government. Citizens of Lithuania can also propose laws and proposals backed by at least 50 000 voters must be considered by the Seimas. The legislative procedure for proposed laws is regulated by the Statute of the Seimas.[40]

All draft laws and proposals submitted to the Seimas, and any changes or supplements to previously submitted proposals must be registered with the Secretariat of the Seimas Sittings. The legal department of the Seimas then reviews the draft law, issuing a conclusion on whether or not the draft is in compliance with existing laws and the technical rules of law-making.

The draft laws are presented to the Seimas, which can vote to commence the procedure of consideration of the draft, postpone it or reject the draft. If the Seimas decides to commence the procedure of consideration, it appoints the principal and additional Committees to consider the draft law.

The Seimas Committees perform thorough analysis of the draft law, present it to interested state institutions and organizations, consult specialists in different fields and hear opinions on the draft. Interested persons can, at this stage, provide proposals and opinions on the draft.

The reports of the principal Committee and any other Committees are heard by the Seimas and a general discussion is held. A vote is taken on the amendments to the draft law, which can be proposed and presented by any person with the right of legislative initiative. Finally, the Seimas votes on whether to approve the draft law confirmed by the Committee together with amendments adopted at a sitting of the Seimas.

The adopted laws are submitted to the President. The President can return the law to the Seimas for additional consideration or sign it. Seimas can, but is not obliged to, take proposals by the President into account and can approve the laws returned by the President in a simple majority vote. If the President does not sign the law returned after additional consideration or neither signs nor returns the law after the initial submission, the Speaker of the Seimas can sign the law.[25] The law comes into effect after being published in the "Official Gazette" ("Valstybės žinios").

Plenary sittings

[edit]

The Seimas meets annually in two regular sessions: a spring session (10 March – 30 June) and an autumn session (10 September – 23 December). Extraordinary sessions can be called by the Speaker of the Seimas upon the proposal of at least one third of all members of the Seimas, or, in some cases, by the President.[24]

When the Seimas is in session, there are four plenary sittings of the Seimas per week: two on Tuesday and two on Thursday, which are presided by the Speaker of the Seimas or the Deputy Speaker. As a rule, the sittings of the Seimas are open to the public.[41] The open sittings of the Seimas are also broadcast on cable television and via the internet.[42]

The programmes for the sessions of the Seimas and the draft agendas of sittings are drafted and approved by the Assembly of the Elders, which is made up of the members of the Board of the Seimas and representatives of the parliamentary groups.[24]

Board of the Seimas

[edit]

The board of the Seimas consists of the Speaker of the Seimas, the Deputy Speakers, and the leader of the opposition. The Speaker and the Deputy Speakers are elected by the members of the parliament in session.[43]

Parliamentary committees

[edit]

Parliamentary committees are elected by the Seimas from among its members. The committees consider draft legislation and can explore and clarify other issues in their area of competence.[24]

The committees are formed during the first session of the newly elected Seimas and can have between 7 and 17 members (with the exception of the Committee on European Affairs, which has at least 15 members). Members are selected based on proportional representation of parliamentary groups. Each committee elects its Chair and Deputy Chair, subject to approval by the Seimas.[44]

Committees of the Seimas
Audit Budget and Finance
Culture Economics
Education and Science Environment Protection
European Affairs Foreign Affairs
Future Health Affairs
Human Rights Legal Affairs
National Security and Defence Rural Affairs
Social Affairs and Labour State Administration and Local Authorities

Seimas Palace

[edit]

The Seimas Palace (Lithuanian: Seimo Rūmai) is the seat of the Seimas. It consists of three buildings in the center of Vilnius, at the end of Gediminas Avenue. The main building (I Seimas Palace) was designed by architects Algimantas Nasvytis and his brother Vytautas Nasvytis as the Palace of the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR.[45] Construction, at the site of a former stadium, started in 1976 and was completed in 1980. On March 11, 1990, the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania was proclaimed in the main hall of the building. The hall, now referred to as the Hall of the Act of 11 March, housed the sessions of the Seimas until 2007 and is now used for special occasions.[46] The offices of most of the parliament members are also located in this building.

The two other buildings were built around the same time and were connected to the main building after the independence, as the demand for working space increased. The II Seimas Palace, close to Neris river, originally housed the Ministry of Finance of the Lithuanian SSR. After a renovation finished in 2007, the main chamber of the II Seimas Palace houses the sessions of the Seimas. The building also houses the Chancellery of the Seimas. The III Seimas Palace was originally occupied by the Council of the Center of Labour Unions and is now used by the Committees of the Seimas, also housing the restaurant and other administrative functions.

January events of 1991 are commemorated by fragments of the barricades and memorial signs around the Palace.

Speakers and prime ministers

[edit]
Parliament Term Speaker Prime minister
Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas 1990–1992 Vytautas Landsbergis Kazimira Prunskienė
Albertas Šimėnas
Gediminas Vagnorius
Aleksandras Abišala
Sixth Seimas 1992–1996 Algirdas Brazauskas
Bronislovas Lubys
Česlovas Juršėnas
Adolfas Šleževičius
Laurynas Stankevičius
Seventh Seimas 1996–2000 Vytautas Landsbergis Gediminas Vagnorius
Rolandas Paksas
Andrius Kubilius
Eighth Seimas 2000–2004 Artūras Paulauskas Rolandas Paksas
Algirdas Brazauskas
Ninth Seimas 2004–2008
Viktoras Muntianas
Gediminas Kirkilas
Česlovas Juršėnas
Tenth Seimas 2008–2012 Arūnas Valinskas Andrius Kubilius
Irena Degutienė
Eleventh Seimas 2012–2016 Vydas Gedvilas Algirdas Butkevičius
Loreta Graužinienė
Twelfth Seimas 2016–2020 Viktoras Pranckietis Saulius Skvernelis
Thirteenth Seimas 2020–2024 Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen Ingrida Šimonytė
Fourteenth Seimas 2024–2028 Saulius Skvernelis Gintautas Paluckas
Inga Ruginienė
Juozas Olekas

See also

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Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Seimas

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Seimas is the unicameral of the of , consisting of 141 members who serve four-year terms and represent the nation in enacting . It holds primary legislative authority, including the power to pass laws, amend the , approve the state budget, ratify international treaties, and oversee the through mechanisms such as votes of no confidence. Members are elected via a mixed system, with 71 chosen from single-member constituencies and 70 allocated proportionally from national party lists, ensuring a balance between local representation and broader political pluralism. The institution's contemporary form emerged from the Constituent Seimas of , which laid the foundations for Lithuania's interwar republic, though it was suppressed during periods of foreign occupation; it was reconstituted in 1990 amid the drive for independence from Soviet rule, facilitating democratic reforms and Lithuania's accession to in 2004 and the [European Union](/page/European Union) in 2004.

History

Origins in the Grand Duchy and

The origins of the Seimas trace back to early assemblies in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, evolving from the Grand Duke's advisory council into more formalized gatherings of nobility. One of the earliest recorded assemblies occurred in 1306, convened by Duke and described as a tractatus seu parlamentum by chronicler Peter of Dusburg. By 1401, the Vilnius-Radom Agreement involved an extended council that may represent the first proto-Sejm, confirming dynastic pacts between Lithuanian and Polish elites. These bodies initially comprised the Grand Duke's inner circle, including relatives, influential boyars (dukes), Catholic bishops, voivodes, and castellans of key districts like and , functioning primarily to advise the ruler on warfare, taxation, and foreign policy. The term "Sejm" (seimas in Lithuanian, meaning assembly) first appeared in documents in the mid-15th century, coinciding with privileges that expanded noble influence. In 1447, Jagiellon granted economic immunities, allowing nobles to manage autonomously and collect rents, which bolstered their leverage in state affairs. By 1492, under , nobles secured a privilege requiring their approval for major decisions, effectively granting power over ducal policies. Composition broadened gradually; district nobility representatives first attended the Vilnius Sejm in 1512, though with limited voting until the 1566 Second Statute of Lithuania, which formalized their participatory rights amid growing calls for political equality, as seen in a 1562 noble petition near demanding union with on equal terms. These developments reflected the nobility's rising , transitioning ad hoc councils into regular diets that checked monarchical authority while preserving the 's primacy. The marked a pivotal shift following the on July 1, 1569, which abolished the standalone Lithuanian Sejm and integrated it into the bicameral Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Lithuanian nobles dispatched delegates—typically around 40 from county sejmiks (local assemblies established from 1565)—to the federal Sejm walny, alongside separate conventions in (1576–1671) for internal matters like taxation and military levies. This structure endured for 226 years, fostering a federal parliamentarism unique in , though plagued by mechanisms like the that often paralyzed decision-making. The institution ceased effective operation amid foreign interventions leading to the partitions, with the final Commonwealth Sejm convening in 1793 before dissolution in 1795.

Establishment of the Modern Seimas (1922–1940)

The modern Seimas emerged as Lithuania's unicameral legislature following the Constituent Assembly's adoption of the 1922 Constitution on August 1, which established a with the Seimas holding supreme legislative authority and electing the state president. Elections for the First Seimas occurred on October 10–11, 1922, selecting 78 members via in a single nationwide constituency, with the chamber convening for its inaugural session on November 13, 1922, in . This body promptly elected Aleksandras Stulginskis as president on December 21, 1922, but political fragmentation prevented a stable , leading President Stulginskis to dissolve it by on March 12, 1923. Subsequent elections on May 12–13, 1923, formed the Second Seimas, also comprising 78 members, which operated until the expiration of its three-year term in 1926 amid ongoing Christian Democrat-led focused on and . The Third Seimas, elected on May 8–10, 1926, expanded to 85 seats and marked a shift with a leftist of Peasant Populists, Social Democrats, and minorities gaining control, prompting instability exacerbated by Mykolas Sleževičius's policies on military reductions and land redistribution. A military coup on December 17, 1926, overthrew the government, installing as president and as , effectively curtailing democratic governance while initially retaining the Third Seimas. Smetona dissolved the Third Seimas on April 12, 1927, initiating a nine-year parliamentary hiatus under authoritarian rule, during which governance proceeded via presidential decrees and a 1928 constitution that centralized power in the executive, reducing legislative independence. No elections occurred until June 9–10, , when the Fourth Seimas was formed under a restrictive electoral favoring the ruling Tautininkai nationalists, yielding 49 members who convened on an initial date in September and later promulgated a 1938 constitution extending the term to five years while preserving executive dominance. This assembly persisted until the Soviet ultimatum of June 14–15, 1940, which precipitated occupation and the of a "People's Seimas" on July 21, 1940, that formally petitioned for incorporation into the , marking the interwar Seimas's effective end.

Soviet Occupation and Dissolution (1940–1990)

Following the Soviet ultimatum on June 14, 1940, and the Red Army's invasion of on June 15, a pro-Soviet "People's Government" was installed under Justas Paleckis, who assumed the role of . This regime dissolved the democratically elected Fourth Seimas—established under the 1928 constitution—on July 1, 1940, effectively terminating Lithuania's independent parliamentary system. The dissolution occurred amid widespread suppression of opposition, including arrests of political leaders and restrictions on free assembly, paving the way for Soviet control over legislative functions. Rigged parliamentary elections were held on July 14–15, 1940, featuring a single communist-approved list of candidates, with voting conducted under duress and claims of 95% turnout that independent observers later deemed fabricated. The resulting "People's Seimas," a puppet assembly lacking genuine representation, convened on July 21 and passed resolutions declaring a socialist republic, nationalizing land and industry, and petitioning the for incorporation. On August 3, 1940, the approved the request, formally annexing as the (LSSR); the People's Seimas was redesignated as the provisional of the LSSR, subordinating all legislative authority to and the . The Nazi German invasion on June 22, 1941, interrupted Soviet rule, leading to occupation until July 1944, during which no parliamentary body operated; a short-lived formed in June 1941 was dissolved by German authorities within weeks, with legislative powers centralized under the Nazi . Soviet forces reoccupied in 1944, reinstating the LSSR and its , which functioned as a rubber-stamp through 1990, approving policies like mass deportations (affecting over 280,000 between 1944 and 1953) and collectivization while enforcing one-party rule under the . This body, elected in non-competitive polls, held no autonomy from the USSR, with decisions dictated by the Communist Party Central Committee; for instance, it ratified the 1940–1941 and post-1944 annexations as voluntary, contrary to evidence of and international non-recognition by Western states. Throughout the Soviet era, the absence of the Seimas symbolized the suppression of Lithuania's pre-occupation democratic traditions, replaced by a facade of soviet-style that prioritized ideological over representation. Resistance movements, including forest brothers partisans active until the mid-1950s, targeted this illegitimate structure, but parliamentary restoration remained impossible until perestroika-era reforms allowed multi-candidate elections to the in February 1990, setting the stage for independence declarations later that year. The 1940 dissolution thus endured as a foundational act of occupation, invalidated only retrospectively by the 1990 restoration acts.

Restoration and Post-Independence Evolution (1990–Present)

On March 11, 1990, the Supreme Council of the , reorganized as the Reconstituent Seimas, adopted the Act on the Re-Establishment of the State of , declaring the restoration of the interwar Republic of 's independence from the . , leader of the independence movement, was elected Chairman of the Supreme Council, serving as during the critical early period. The responded with an economic starting April 18, 1990, and military actions including the January 13, 1991, assault on the , which killed 14 civilians, but maintained its declaration amid international support. The first post-independence parliamentary elections occurred on , 1992, electing the Sixth Seimas with 141 members, including 71 from single-member and 70 from nationwide lists under a mixed system. A referendum on the same day approved the Constitution of the Republic of , establishing a unicameral with legislative supremacy, a four-year term, and checks on executive power. This framework solidified 's transition to a parliamentary democracy, with all subsequent Seimas terms completed in full, reflecting institutional stability. Post-1992, the Seimas drove Lithuania's Euro-Atlantic integration, ratifying accession protocols for on March 10, 2004, effective March 29, 2004, and the on May 1, 2004, enhancing security and economic ties amid regional threats. Subsequent elections alternated majorities between center-right –Lithuanian Christian Democrats and center-left Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, with coalition governments addressing economic reforms, compliance, and . The Seimas expanded oversight roles, including budget approval and treaty ratification, while adapting electoral laws, such as raising the party threshold to 5% in 1996. In the October 13 and 27, 2024, elections for the Fourteenth Seimas, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party secured 52 seats and formed a centre-left coalition with Dawn of Nemunas (20 seats) and the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (14 seats), totaling approximately 86 seats, while the secured 28 seats and entered opposition, amid voter concerns over security and economy. This outcome shifted power from the prior centre-right government, emphasizing continuity in and commitments despite domestic policy debates.

Constitutional Framework and Powers

Legislative Authority and Mandate

The Seimas exercises supreme legislative authority in as the unicameral , deriving its powers from Chapter V of the Constitution of the Republic of , which delineates it as one of the primary institutions executing state power alongside the President, , and . Article 69 specifies that the Seimas represents the People of , with its mandate commencing upon the first convening of newly elected members and extending for a fixed term of four years, ensuring periodic accountability to voters through elections held on the first Sunday of in election years. This structure underscores the Seimas' role as the direct embodiment of in lawmaking, unbound by upper houses or overrides beyond constitutional checks. Core to its legislative mandate, the Seimas considers, adopts, and promulgates laws, including amendments to the , which require a three-fifths for passage and, in some cases, a national for . It approves the state budget, supervises its execution, levies taxes, authorizes state debt repayment and loans, and establishes state institutions, thereby controlling and administrative framework. Additionally, the Seimas ratifies or denounces international treaties, decides on nuclear power plant construction, and holds authority over defense matters such as declaring , imposing , or mobilizing forces, reflecting its mandate to safeguard national interests through binding resolutions. These powers position the Seimas as the origin of all ordinary , with bills typically initiated by members, the , or committees, subject to debate, amendments, and voting in plenary sessions. Beyond pure lawmaking, the Seimas' authority extends to approving the Prime Minister's candidacy proposed by the President and endorsing the Government Programme, while retaining the right to dismiss the via a no-confidence vote requiring an absolute . It appoints key officials, including judges, the , and heads of security and monetary institutions, ensuring oversight of executive and judicial branches without encroaching on their operational independence. This mandate, rooted in the 1992 adopted post-independence, balances legislative primacy with , as evidenced by the Seimas' inability to unilaterally override presidential vetoes on non-budget laws, which instead necessitate a three-fourths for circumvention. The institution's 141 members, elected via a mixed system of constituencies and , operationalize this authority through committees and plenary proceedings governed by the Seimas Statute, which holds legal force equivalent to ordinary laws.

Oversight Functions and Limitations

The Seimas conducts oversight of the executive branch through specialized parliamentary committees, which monitor government activities in designated policy domains, such as via the Committee on Foreign Affairs. These committees review legislative drafts, conduct hearings, and provide recommendations to ensure alignment with national interests, as outlined in the Seimas Statute. Additionally, the Seimas approves the state budget, enabling financial scrutiny of government expenditures, and ratifies international treaties that impact . A key mechanism for direct accountability is interpellation, whereby Seimas members question the or individual ministers on policy implementation; if the response is deemed unsatisfactory by a majority vote of attending members, it constitutes a vote of no confidence, potentially forcing . The Seimas may also express no confidence in the entire by a majority of all members, leading to its dismissal and a mandate for the President to form a new cabinet. Provisional ad hoc investigation commissions, established under the on Ad Hoc Investigation Commissions, probe issues of public importance, with rights to summon witnesses and access documents, though their findings are advisory and require Seimas approval for binding effect. Impeachment oversight applies to Seimas members and high officials for constitutional violations, initiated by a Seimas commission and finalized by a three-fourths majority vote following review; for instance, in October 2024, the Seimas rejected an motion against former Gintautas Paluckas by a vote of 41-68. Despite these tools, Seimas oversight is constitutionally delimited to prevent overreach into executive or judicial spheres; for example, commissions cannot usurp Seimas powers to define state priorities or encroach on prosecutorial functions, as ruled by the in 2004 and subsequent decisions. Members' duties are incompatible with other state roles, barring conflicts of interest (, Art. 60), and the Seimas cannot initiate judicial proceedings or override court decisions. Sovereign authority remains constrained by the 's supremacy, with the Court empowered to annul Seimas acts exceeding legislative bounds, ensuring checks against absolute parliamentary dominance.

Relationship with the Executive and Judiciary

The Seimas exercises substantial oversight over the executive branch, ensuring governmental accountability while maintaining a system of checks and balances as outlined in the . The nominates a for after consultations with parliamentary leaders, and the Seimas approves or rejects the nominee by majority vote; upon approval, the forms the , proposes ministers for presidential appointment, and submits the Government's program for Seimas endorsement. The remains accountable to the Seimas, which supervises its activities through interpellations, inquiries directed at the and ministers, and the power to pass votes of no confidence in the , individual ministers, or the entire by absolute majority, potentially leading to or dissolution. Additionally, the Seimas approves the annual state budget proposed by the and reviews its execution, reinforcing legislative control over . Relations with the President emphasize mutual constraints rather than direct subordination. While the President, elected directly by popular vote for a five-year term, holds and defense prerogatives, the Seimas can initiate proceedings against the President for gross violations of the or oath, requiring a two-thirds majority approval following an investigation and opinion confirming the violation. The President, in turn, nominates certain officials like the and Chairperson for Seimas appointment, and the Government tenders its resignation to the President after Seimas elections or presidential elections, though a new Government must secure Seimas confidence to function. This framework positions the Seimas as the primary check on executive actions, with the President unable to unilaterally override parliamentary majorities. The Seimas interacts with the judiciary primarily through appointment powers, preserving while embedding legislative input in key selections. It appoints all nine justices of the to non-renewable nine-year terms by and majority vote, selecting from nominees submitted in groups of three by the President, the Chairperson of the Seimas, and the Chairperson of the ; the Seimas also appoints the Court's Chairperson and Chairperson from among the justices. For the , the President proposes candidates, and the Seimas confirms their appointment; as of December 17, 2024, the Seimas appointed three new judges—Arūnas Budrys, Irmantas Šulcas, and Eglė Zemlytė—demonstrating ongoing parliamentary involvement. Judicial oversight of the Seimas provides reciprocity, as the reviews the constitutionality of Seimas-enacted laws and decisions upon petition, potentially declaring them void if they contravene the , thereby limiting legislative overreach. The Seimas retains authority over and justices for gross violations, requiring a two-thirds majority after verification, though such actions are rare and aimed at upholding judicial integrity rather than political control. This balanced dynamic underscores the judiciary's formal , with Seimas appointments serving as a mechanism for democratic legitimacy without compromising autonomy.

Electoral System

Voting Mechanisms and Constituencies

The Seimas comprises 141 members elected through a combining majoritarian and elements. Seventy-one members are elected from single-member constituencies (SMCs) using a two-round absolute majority system, while the remaining 70 are allocated from a single nationwide multi-member constituency based on from closed party lists. This structure, established under the Law on Elections to the Seimas, aims to balance local representation with national party proportionality. Single-member constituencies are delimited by the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) to approximate equal population distribution, typically aligning with municipal and administrative boundaries while ensuring no constituency deviates significantly from the national average electorate size. As of the elections, the 71 SMCs covered Lithuania's territory, with boundaries adjusted periodically based on data to reflect demographic shifts; for instance, urban areas like and host multiple constituencies due to higher . In SMC voting, eligible voters (Lithuanian citizens aged 18 or older) cast a single vote for a in the first round. A securing over 50 percent of valid votes wins outright; otherwise, a runoff occurs between the top two candidates, held two weeks later if necessary, as implemented in the October 13 and 27, , elections. The nationwide multi-member constituency encompasses the entire electorate, enabling proportional allocation of the 70 seats using the modified after applying thresholds: 5 percent of votes for individual parties and 7 percent for coalitions. Voters select one party list in this component, separate from their SMC vote, fostering broader ideological representation. Polling occurs via at designated stations, with provisions for absentee and , particularly for expatriates who must pre-register through the VRK's electronic system. This dual-vote mechanism, unchanged in core aspects since with amendments refining thresholds and administration, ensures both district accountability and minority party viability, though critics note it can fragment majorities in SMCs due to runoffs.

Party Lists and Thresholds

The segment of Seimas elections allocates 70 seats through a nationwide multi-member constituency using an open-list system. Eligible or multi-party joint lists submit candidate lists to the Central Electoral Commission (VRK), each containing a minimum of 20 candidates, ordered by the submitting entity. Independent candidates are prohibited from participating in this component. Voters cast a single for their preferred party or in this segment, with the option to indicate preferences for specific candidates on that list, which influences the final ordering of elected members. Seats are distributed proportionally among qualifying lists using the modified , based on valid votes received nationwide. Within each list, seats go to candidates who garner the highest preference votes; if a candidate's preferences fall below a certain threshold relative to the party's total, the party's pre-submitted order determines allocation. Candidates elected in single-member constituencies are subtracted from their list's allocation, with remaining seats filled sequentially. To qualify for any proportional seats, individual parties must secure at least 5% of all valid list votes cast across the country, while multi-party joint lists face a higher threshold of 7%. This barrier, established under the Law on Elections to the Seimas, aims to ensure parliamentary representation reflects substantial national support while preventing fragmentation. Votes for lists below these thresholds are disregarded in seat calculations and do not transfer to other parties. No exceptions apply to national minorities in Seimas elections, unlike in municipal contests. In the 2024 election, for instance, six entities exceeded the 5% mark, securing all proportional mandates.

Election Administration and Reforms

The Central Electoral Commission (VRK), known in Lithuanian as Vyriausioji rinkimų komisija, serves as the permanent supreme state institution responsible for organizing, conducting, and overseeing to the Seimas, as well as referendums. Established under the Law on the Central Electoral Commission, the VRK supervises compliance with election laws, registers and candidates, manages voter information systems, and certifies results. It operates independently from the government, with authority to issue directives and resolve disputes during the electoral process. The electoral administration is hierarchical, comprising the VRK at the national level, 71 constituency electoral committees (one per single-member constituency), and approximately 1,900 polling district committees. Constituency committees, appointed by the VRK, oversee single-member district voting, candidate nominations, and ballot preparation within their areas, while polling district committees—formed no later than 45 days before election day—handle local voting logistics, voter verification, and initial vote counting. The VRK appoints chairs for constituency committees from eligible candidates of good repute who meet Seimas candidacy requirements. This structure ensures decentralized execution under centralized oversight, with results aggregated upward for national certification. Voter eligibility for Seimas elections requires Lithuanian citizenship, age 18 or older on , and residence registration in , with lists compiled automatically from the civil registry maintained by municipalities. No separate is needed; the VRK and local authorities update rolls in real-time, allowing in-person voting at assigned polling stations or alternatives like mail-in for voters who pre-register electronically. Ballots include separate papers for single-member districts (first-past-the-post with runoffs if no candidate exceeds 50% in the first round) and the national compensatory list (). Reforms to administration have focused on enhancing transparency and , including recent amendments to the Law on Elections to the Seimas that specify detailed procedures for voter list management, such as cross-verification with population registers to minimize errors or duplicates, and expanded for election observers to monitor polling and counting. In , the Seimas approved a reduction in the for securing seats in the multi-member national constituency, aiming to broaden representation, though the standard 5% threshold for list allocation remains in place. A adopted in recent years lowered the minimum age for Seimas candidates from 25 to 21 years, effective for future elections, to align with European norms and encourage younger participation. These changes, driven by legislative consensus rather than crisis response, have contributed to consistently high OSCE-assessed integrity in Seimas elections, with minimal reported irregularities.

Elections and Composition

Recent Elections (Including 2024 Results)

The 2024 Seimas elections occurred on 13 October for the initial round, determining seats and some winners, with a second round on 27 October for remaining single-member constituencies where no candidate secured over 50% in the first round. reached 52.2%, with 1,244,617 ballots cast out of 2,384,368 registered voters. These elections marked a shift from the incumbent center-right coalition led by the –Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), which had governed since 2020 amid public dissatisfaction over economic pressures, migration policies, and management. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) emerged victorious, capturing 52 seats in the 141-member Seimas, positioning it to form the new government. The results reflected a leftward turn, with LSDP outperforming polls in proportional lists and runoffs. The coalition agreement, signed on 11 November 2024, united LSDP with the Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA) and the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (DSVL), securing a of 86 seats.
PartySeats
Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP)52
Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD)28
Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA)20
Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (DSVL)14
Liberal Movement (LS)12
Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS)8
Electoral Action of (LLRA)3
National Alliance (NS)1
Freedom and Justice Party (PLT)1
Independents2
The prior 2020 elections had delivered 50 seats to TS-LKD, enabling its with the Liberal Movement and For Lithuania's Future, but subsequent governance challenges eroded support, culminating in the 2024 defeat.

Historical Election Outcomes

The first elections to the Seimas following the restoration of Lithuania's independence occurred on 25 1992, with the (LDDP), the former Communist Party rebranded, securing a majority of 73 seats out of 141 amid a of 75.0 percent. This outcome reflected public support for economic stabilization after the Soviet collapse, leading to a government under Adolfas Šleževičius. Subsequent elections demonstrated volatility in voter preferences, alternating between conservative, social democratic, and populist forces. The 1996 election saw the –Lithuanian Conservatives (TS(LKD)) win 70 seats with 52.9 percent turnout, forming a center-right coalition that advanced and integration. In 2000, the Social Democratic Coalition, led by , gained 51 seats at 56.1 percent turnout, continuing left-leaning governance focused on welfare reforms. The 2004 produced a fragmented result, with the Labour Party (DP) emerging largest at 39 seats (46.7 percent turnout), resulting in a under that emphasized anti-corruption measures. Conservatives regained dominance in 2008, as the –Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) took 45 seats (47.3 percent turnout), leading a prioritizing fiscal post-financial .
Election YearLargest Party/CoalitionSeats Won by Largest (%)Key Notes
1992Democratic Labour Party (LDDP)7375.0Post-independence; LDDP majority government.
1996–Lithuanian Conservatives (TS(LKD))7052.9Center-right shift; EU/NATO focus.
2000Social Democratic Coalition5156.1Left-leaning coalition; welfare emphasis.
2004Labour Party (DP)3946.7Populist surge; fragmented .
2008–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD)4547.3 and pro-EU policies.
2012Social Democratic Party (LSDP)3852.9Center-left post- backlash.
2016 (LVŽS)5450.7Rural-populist victory; surprise majority.
2020–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD)5047.1Conservative win amid pandemic concerns.
The 2012 returned the LSDP with 38 seats (52.9 percent turnout), forming a addressing economic recovery. Agrarian peaked in 2016 when the (LVŽS) won 54 seats (50.7 percent turnout), governing with a minority emphasizing agricultural subsidies. By , the TS-LKD secured 50 seats (47.1 percent turnout), establishing a center-right administration focused on and EU alignment. Overall, no single party has consistently dominated, with necessary due to the 5 percent threshold for multi-member seats and majoritarian single-member districts.

Current and Historical Party Representation

The 14th Seimas (2024–2028) consists of 141 members distributed among multiple political groups. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) forms the largest group with 52 seats, enabling it to lead a alongside Nemunas Dawn (20 seats) and the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (14 seats). The main opposition is headed by the –Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) with 28 seats, followed by the Liberal Movement with 11 seats. Smaller representations include the (LVŽS) with 8 seats, and the remainder held by other minor parties, alliances, and independents, totaling nine political entities and two self-nominated members.
Party/GroupSeats
Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP)52
–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD)28
Nemunas Dawn (NA)20
Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (DSVL)14
Liberal Movement (LRLS)11
(LVŽS)8
Others/Independents8
Historically, since the restoration of in 1990, representation has fluctuated between centre-left, centre-right, and agrarian forces, often resulting in governments due to no single achieving a . In the 13th Seimas (2020–2024), the TS-LKD secured 50 seats as the leading , governing in with the Liberal Movement and For Lithuania's People, while the LVŽS held 32 seats as the second-largest group. The 12th Seimas (2016–2020) saw the LVŽS dominate with 54 seats, reflecting rural voter priorities. Earlier convocations, such as the 11th (2012–2016), featured the LSDP with 38 seats at the helm of a broad . This pattern underscores the Seimas's multi- nature, with thresholds ensuring representation for exceeding 5% of the proportional vote. In the (1922–1940), representation differed markedly, with the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party commanding majorities in the first three Seimas convocations, holding 34 of 150 seats in the inaugural assembly amid a fragmented landscape of over a dozen parties. and social democratic blocs provided key opposition, though instability led to authoritarian shifts by 1926. Post-1990 compositions have prioritized democratic pluralism, with conservative and liberal parties alternating influence alongside social democrats.

Internal Organization

Speaker and Leadership Structure

The Speaker of the Seimas (Seimo pirmininkas) is elected by among the 141 members during the constitutive session following parliamentary elections, requiring an absolute majority of votes cast; if no candidate achieves this in the first two rounds, the candidate with the most votes in the third round is elected. The Speaker serves a four-year term aligned with the Seimas term, chairs plenary sessions, signs laws and resolutions after adoption, represents the Seimas domestically and internationally, and oversees compliance with parliamentary rules. In the Speaker's absence, duties are assumed by a Deputy Speaker. The leadership structure is formalized through the Board of the Seimas (Seimo valdyba), which includes the Speaker, Deputy Speakers (typically three to four, elected similarly by and reflecting of parliamentary groups), and the Leader of the Opposition. The Board coordinates the Seimas agenda, manages administrative operations, allocates resources to committees, and ensures the execution of decisions; the Leader of the Opposition, designated from the largest non-ruling or , participates to represent minority views and safeguard procedural fairness. Deputy Speakers assist in presiding over sessions and substitute for the Speaker, with their number and selection approved by the Seimas plenary. As of September 10, 2025, Juozas Olekas of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) holds the position of Speaker, succeeding after a secret yielding 84 votes in favor, 20 against, 23 abstentions, and three invalid ; Olekas, a seven-term MP and former minister, was nominated amid a new center-left coalition formation post-2024 elections. Current Deputy Speakers include figures such as Raimondas Šukys (PPNA), reflecting the distribution of seats among coalition and opposition parties.

Committees and Parliamentary Groups

The Seimas establishes standing s from among its members during the first session following elections to deliberate on draft laws, budget items, and other matters within their competence, preparing conclusions, amendments, and recommendations for plenary consideration. Each comprises between 7 and 17 members, with most members serving on only one except for the on European Affairs and the for the , which address cross-cutting issues. The structure mirrors key policy areas, ensuring specialized oversight, and their composition proportionally reflects the parliamentary groups' seats. In the 2024–2028 Seimas, there are 12 standing committees, including the (12 members), (13 members), (16 members), (8 members), and (7 members), among others focused on areas such as , and defense, health, , and state administration. These committees exercise oversight over corresponding ministries, conduct hearings, and may initiate investigations or temporary commissions for specific inquiries. Parliamentary groups, known as frakcijos, are formed by Seimas members affiliated with the same or , serving as organizational units to coordinate legislative positions, propose assignments, and allocate speaking time in plenary sessions. Groups must meet a minimum membership threshold, typically aligned with party representation, and non-attached members operate independently or in provisional groups. In the current Seimas, the governing majority comprises the –Lithuanian Christian Democrat Political Group, Liberals' Movement Political Group, and Freedom Party Political Group, while opposition groups include the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party Political Group, Political Group, Democrats 'For Lithuania' Political Group, Nemunas Dawn Political Group, and Labour Party representatives. These groups influence agenda-setting and coalition dynamics, with the majority holding procedural advantages in electing chairs and advancing priorities.

Sessions, Procedures, and Decision-Making

The Seimas convenes in two regular sessions each year: the spring session from 10 to 30 and the autumn session from 10 to 23 . Extraordinary sessions may be called by the Speaker upon the request of the President or at the initiative of at least one-third of Seimas members. During regular sessions, plenary sittings occur four times weekly, typically two on Tuesdays and two on Thursdays, with the agenda coordinated by the Board of the Seimas and the Assembly of Elders. Legislative procedures follow a structured process outlined in the Seimas Statute and . Draft laws may be initiated by Seimas members, the President, the , or groups of at least 50,000 citizens. Upon submission and registration with the Seimas Chancellery, drafts undergo scrutiny, led by a principal that solicits expert and public input, published on the Seimas website. This is followed by plenary debate, where amendments—submitted at least 48 hours in advance—are considered article by article before a final vote on the entire draft. Adopted laws are signed by the President (or the Speaker if vetoed and overridden) and enter force the day after publication in the Register of Legal Acts, unless specified otherwise. Decision-making in the Seimas relies on voting, with most resolutions passing by a simple majority of participating members in open votes. A requires more than half of all 141 members to be present for sittings to proceed. Certain matters, such as constitutional amendments or laws altering , demand a three-fifths majority of total Seimas members, while secret ballots apply to sensitive issues like no-confidence votes or high-level appointments. The process emphasizes transparency, with plenary sessions open to the public and proceedings documented in official protocols.

Facilities and Operations

Seimas Palace and Infrastructure

The Seimas Palace complex, situated at Gedimino prospektas 53 in , consists of three interconnected buildings that house the operations of the Lithuanian parliament. Originally constructed in the on the site of the former Žalgiris Youth Stadium, established in 1950, the buildings were initially intended for Soviet-era institutions. Building 1 served as the seat of the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR, Building 2 for the , and Building 3 for the Central Board of Trade Unions. Following Lithuania's in 1990, the structures were adapted and linked to function as the unified parliamentary headquarters. Building 1, the primary structure, covers 9,717.37 square meters and was constructed between 1976 and 1980 under architects Algimantas Nasvytis and Vytautas Nasvytis. Construction commenced in April 1976, with completion in 1980. It features the Hall of the Act of 11 March, restored in 1990 to commemorate the restoration of independence, along with conference halls and the Speaker's offices. Architectural elements include works by Kazimieras Morkūnas, such as "Šventė" from the 1980s and "Žalgirio mūšis" installed in 2011. Building 2 spans 8,734.53 square meters and underwent reconstruction in 2007, involving architects Algimantas Nasvytis, Vytautas Nasvytis, and Juras Balkevičius. The modernized Plenary Chamber, measuring 1,287.8 square meters and 8 meters in height, opened on 10 September 2007 and supports media broadcasting facilities. Building 3, with an area of approximately 8,624 square meters, accommodates parliamentary committees, technical services, and a . The complex is recognized in the Register of Immovable for its architectural, engineering, and historical significance. Infrastructure supports parliamentary functions through integrated facilities for sessions, committee work, and administrative needs, bordered by Gediminas Avenue, Goštauto Street, and Nepriklausomybės Square. A separate Visitor Centre operates at Gedimino prospektas 60, providing public access and guided tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Daily Functioning and Transparency Measures

The Seimas operates on a continuous basis, with its Board determining the working hours of members during sessions, while members independently manage their time between sessions unless participating in or commission meetings. Plenary sessions and committee deliberations typically occur during scheduled periods, such as the regular spring and autumn sessions, with daily activities including committee hearings starting around 9:00 a.m. and extending through mid-afternoon, alongside press conferences and diplomatic engagements. These operations emphasize legislative review, debate, and voting, supported by administrative staff handling preparatory documentation and logistics within the Seimas Palace. Transparency in Seimas operations is facilitated through public access to agendas for plenary and committee meetings, published online in advance, as well as real-time streaming of open sessions via dedicated webcast channels, television, and radio broadcasts, excluding classified deliberations. Voting results, draft legislation, and the parliamentary budget are fully disclosed on the official website, allowing citizens to submit comments on bills during review. The Seimas adheres to Lithuania's Law on Information Disclosure, which mandates proactive of public and subjects the to requests, handled by a dedicated office with exemptions limited to state secrets and commercial data. Members maintain individual working calendars, declaring meetings during official hours—a practice that saw participation rise by one-third in recent sessions—and the institution has expanded formats for parliamentary records to enhance accountability. Lobbying interactions are regulated under the on Lobbying Activities, requiring lobbyists to register with the Chief Official Ethics and Procedures Commission, though no dedicated parliamentary registry exists; these rules aim to prevent by mandating disclosure of contacts with members. Despite these measures, critiques from organizations like note that while data openness has improved, enforcement of declaration completeness varies among members.

Controversies and Criticisms

Political Scandals and Corruption Cases

The MG Baltic political corruption case, one of the most significant involving Seimas members, centered on allegations that executives of the MG Group (formerly MG Baltic) bribed politicians to influence legislation and policy decisions favorable to the conglomerate's interests. In 2016, former Seimas member and Liberal Movement leader Eligijus Masiulis was detained after investigators discovered over €100,000 in cash hidden in a liquor bottle case, allegedly a bribe from MG executive Raimondas Kurlianskis. On December 1, 2023, Lithuania's Court of Appeal convicted Masiulis of bribery, influence peddling, and unlawful enrichment, sentencing him to five years and six months in prison plus a €241,490 fine; Kurlianskis received four years and three months for the same offenses. The court also fined the Liberal Movement and Labour Party for their roles in the scheme, upholding that the bribes—totaling over €600,000 to Masiulis—secured undue advantages in parliamentary decisions. Lithuania's Supreme Court upheld the convictions in October 2024 but reduced the sentences slightly, confirming the core findings of systematic corruption linking business interests to Seimas influence. In the same broader context of political corruption probes, former Labour Party Seimas member Vytautas Gapšys was convicted by the Court of Appeal in November 2023 of corruption offenses, including bribery, and sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment. The Seimas initiated impeachment proceedings against him on December 12, 2023, with 95 votes in favor, aiming to revoke his mandate under constitutional provisions barring those convicted of serious crimes from holding office; the process culminated in his removal, highlighting mechanisms to address parliamentary misconduct. Gapšys's case involved accepting bribes to sway votes and decisions, part of investigations into party financing irregularities tied to business lobbying. Other cases have implicated Seimas members in and related improprieties, though fewer resulted in corruption-specific convictions. For instance, Seimas member Petras Gražulis was convicted in March 2022 by Vilnius Regional Court of for intervening in a criminal probe to benefit associates, following 2019 allegations of encouraging of Russian officials; he received a but retained his mandate pending further review. These incidents underscore recurring patterns of in the Seimas, with public perception surveys indicating that up to 80% of view the as highly corrupt, often linking it to sectors like and . Despite anti-corruption laws and the Special Investigation Service's efforts, enforcement challenges persist, as evidenced by ongoing debates over barring convicted individuals from candidacy.

Debates on Electoral and Institutional Reforms

Debates on the mixed electoral system have persisted since its adoption in 1992, which allocates 71 seats through single-member districts via majority vote and 70 seats proportionally from national party lists, with a 5% threshold for parties (lowered from 7% in 2019). Critics argue the system exacerbates disproportionality, as single-member districts can amplify winner-take-all effects, leading to overrepresentation of larger parties and incumbents while disadvantaging smaller ones, potentially undermining voter proportionality compared to pure list systems. Academic analyses describe it as combining the drawbacks of both majoritarian and proportional models without their strengths, fostering fragmented outcomes and reduced accountability. Proposals to shift toward full have surfaced sporadically, often from parties seeking to prioritize national platforms over local patronage, though no major legislative changes have advanced amid concerns that eliminating districts would weaken regional ties. In 2024, following low turnout of 14.5% in the single-member constituency for abroad—below the 25% threshold triggering review—the Central Electoral Commission proposed its abolition, arguing it fails to ensure effective representation and burdens administrative resources without proportional voter engagement. This reflects broader scrutiny of district viability, with single-member seats occasionally criticized for unequal voter numbers across constituencies, violating equal principles as ruled by the . Institutional reform discussions have focused on Seimas size and operations for efficiency. A 2019 referendum, approved by the Seimas in February, sought to reduce membership from 141 to 121 seats to streamline and cut costs, garnering 53.75% approval but failing due to 47.87% below the 50% . More recently, in 2024–2025 sessions, the Seimas debated further cuts to MP seats alongside shifting general elections from autumn to spring, aiming to align with municipal cycles and avoid seasonal voter , though these remain unresolved amid partisan divides on fiscal and procedural impacts. Efforts to streamline legislative processes, such as standardizing ministerial proposal timelines under commitments, have also been proposed to accelerate law-making without altering core structures.

Performance Critiques and Public Perceptions

in the Seimas remains among the lowest for Lithuanian institutions, with surveys consistently showing limited confidence in its effectiveness and representativeness. The Stiftung's 2024 Transformation Index reports relatively low levels of trust in political institutions, attributing this to perceptions of inefficiency, partisanship, and inadequate responsiveness to public concerns such as and . A 2009 nationwide survey indicated only 10% trust in the , a figure that has persisted in trend despite some fluctuations, as corroborated by recurring low approval in subsequent polling data from firms like Vilmorus. Performance critiques often center on legislative and suboptimal output, where partisan conflicts delay bills on critical issues like and healthcare reform. For instance, during the 2020-2024 term, the Seimas passed fewer than 500 laws annually on average, with critics from think tanks noting that overrides and bottlenecks extended processing times beyond peers, exacerbating public frustration amid post-pandemic recovery challenges. Opposition leaders, such as those from the , have argued that this reflects a failure in prioritizing and fiscal discipline, evidenced by stalled amendments to defense spending amid Russia's 2022 invasion of . The 2024 Seimas elections underscored these perceptions, with the incumbent center-right coalition's defeat—securing only 28 seats compared to the Social Democrats' 52—driven by voter dissatisfaction over control (peaking at 20.9% in 2022) and perceived mismanagement of public services. Post-election polls by Vilmorus showed minimal shifts in preferences, suggesting entrenched rather than for alternatives, while a populist surge indicated broader alienation from establishment politics. Despite this, Lithuania's 25th ranking in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index highlights relative strengths in policy implementation and rule adherence, tempering critiques with evidence of functional governance amid perceptual deficits.

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