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Parliament name (generic / translated) Seimas / Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1923 - 1928 1991 - LEADERSHIP President Irena Degutiene  (F)  Notes Elected on 17 September 2009 Secretary General Jonas Milerius (M)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 141 / 141 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 27 (19.15%) Mode of designation Directly elected 141 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 12 October 2008 26 October 2008 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Seimas 53 Gedimino Ave. LT- 01109 Vilnius LITHUANIA (Export mailing lists) Phone (370 5) 239 64 93 Fax (370 5) 239 63 39 E-mail laura.sumskiene@lrs.lt Website http://www.lrs.lt

Parliament name (generic / translated) Seimas / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 25 October 1962 Last amendment: 27/06/1996 Mode of designation Directly elected 141 Constituencies - 71 single-member constituencies - 1 multi-member (70 seats) nationwide constituency Voting system Mixed: Mixed system: - A candidate shall be considered elected in a single-member constituency, if not less than 40 percent of the registered voters of that constituency have participated in the elections, and the said candidate has received more than half the votes cast by the registered voters. If less than 40 percent of the registered voters of that constituency have participated in the elections, the candidate who has received the majority, but not less than one-fifth of the votes cast by all the registered voters of that constituency, shall be considered to have been elected. - If more than two candidates have participated in the elections and none has been elected pursuant to above-mentioned procedure, a second poll is held after two weeks, in which the two candidates who have received the majority of votes shall participate In this case, the candidate who has received more votes, regardless of the number of voters, shall be considered to have been elected. In the event of a tie, the candidate who received more votes during the initial poll shall be declared elected. If both candidates received an equal amount of votes during the initial poll, lots are drawn to determine the winner. - nationwide party-list proportional system, on the basis of the simple quotient and greatest remainders rules, with the country as a whole forming one constituency (for 70 seats). In order for the election to be valid, at least 25% of the electorate must have cast its vote. - Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections (in the single-member constituencies) or by the "next-in-line" candidates of the same party (in the multi-member constituency). Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Lithuanian citizenship - disqualifications: incapability declared by a court of law CANDIDATES Eligibility Qualified electors - age: 25 years - Lithuanian citizenship - permanent residence in Lithuania - ineligibility: past service of court-imposed sentence Incompatibilities - membership of the armed forces, police and similar services Candidacy requirements - candidatures submitted by duly registered political parties, or individuals (in single-member constituencies) with the support of no less than 1,000 electors. A security deposit equal to one average monthly wage must be paid. This sum is reimbursed if the individual candidate wins. - lists of not less than 25 candidates (in multi-member constituencies) submitted by duly registered political parties. A security deposit equal to 20 average monthly wages must be paid. This sum is reimbursed if the list becomes eligible for distribution of seats by having obtained at least 5% of the votes cast.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Seimas / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) (from/to) 12 October 2008 26 October 2008 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. The 2008 elections were held in parallel with a consultative referendum on the Ignalina nuclear power plant. This plant had been earmarked for closure by the end of 2009 as one of the conditions for accession to the European Union in 2004. The government was seeking voters' views on a request for a possible extension of this deadline to 2012. The elections were held against a background of rising inflation following two years of prosperity. In the previous elections held in October 2004, the Labour Party (DP), led by wealthy Russian-born businessman Mr. Viktor Uspaskich, became the largest party, winning a total of 39 seats in the 141-member parliament. The outgoing governing coalition, "Working for Lithuania", won 31 seats. It comprised the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP, formerly the Communist Party) and the Social Liberal Party (SLP), led respectively by Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas and Speaker Arturas Paulauskas. The Homeland Union (TS) and the Liberal Centre Union took 25 and 18 seats respectively. After lengthy power-sharing negotiations, Mr. Brazauskas (LSDP) was re-elected Prime Minister on 14 December. He subsequently formed a new coalition government comprising the LSDP, the SLP, the DP, and the Union of Farmers' Party and New Democracy Party. Police investigations initiated into the DP's finances in May 2006 sparked a crisis that led its leader Mr. Uspaskich to leave the country for Russia, where he stayed until May 2008. DP ministers also resigned from the government in protest against criticism by President Valdas Adamkus. Following the subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Brazauskas (LSDP) and his entire cabinet, a new caretaker prime minister was appointed in the person of the outgoing Minister of Finance Zigmantas Balcytis (LSDP). His appointment was rejected by Parliament after some members sought clarification about his activities as the head of the Communist Youth Union during the Soviet era and an alleged attempt to join the KGB. In early July, former defence minister, Mr. Gediminas Kirkilas (LSDP), became the country's eleventh Prime Minister since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. May 2008 also saw the formation of two new parties: the TS-LKD (the result of a merger between the Homeland Union and the Lithuanian Christian Democrats) under the leadership of former prime minister Mr. Andrius Kubilius; and the Rising Nation Party (RNP), formed by TV show host and lawyer, Mr. Arunas Valinskas. In all, 1,583 candidates (including 456 women) from 20 parties and coalitions ran for the 2008 elections. Prime Minister Kirkilas pledged to introduce progressive taxation. He also argued that the country should introduce the euro in 2011. He vowed to leave the LSDP if it lost the elections. TS-LKD leader, Mr. Kubilius, pledged to continue to negotiate with the European Commission (EC) to extend the Ignalina nuclear plant's deadline for closure. The party also promised to introduce the euro without specifying any date. It promised to cut income tax by introducing a land tax. The Order and Justice Party (Liberal Democratic Party), led by former president Rolandas Paksas, who had been impeached in April 2004 over a bribe-taking scandal, advocated maintaining pragmatic ties with Moscow. Mr. Paksas promised to hold a referendum on the adoption of the euro. The DP was led by Mr. Uspaskich, who was barred from leaving Lithuania until the investigation into party finances was completed. The DP, which has its stronghold in small towns, campaigned for pro-market policies with more security for small and medium-sized businesses. It formed a coalition with the Youth Party under the name Labour Party + Youth Coalition. RNP leader Valinskas dismissed criticism accusing him of “showbiz” politics, and ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition government with the Order and Justice Party (Liberal Democratic Party). Pre-election polls showed the TS-LKD in the lead. On 12 October, 48.6 per cent of the nearly 2.7 million registered voters turned out at the polls. Seven parties surpassed the five per cent threshold to win a share of the 70 seats available under the proportional representation (PR) system. The TS-LKD won 18 of the PR seats. The RNP surprised many observers by coming in second with 13 seats, followed by the Order and Justice Party (Liberal Democratic Party) with 11 seats. The LSDP took ten seats. The Labour Party + Youth Coalition won eight seats. The Liberals' Movement of the Republic of Lithuania (led by Mr. Eligijus Masiulis) and the Liberal and Centre Union (led by former mayor of Vilnus, Mr. Arturas Zuokas) took five seats each. As for the 71 members elected by the majority system, only three candidates won the absolute majority of votes required to be elected in the first round. Among the three candidates elected, two were from the LSDP and one was from the Lithuanian Poles' Electoral Action, a party representing the Polish minority in Lithuania. Run-off elections for 68 remaining seats were held on 26 October. The final results gave 45 seats to the TS-LKD, and 25 seats to the LSDP. The RNP took 16 seats. In all 25 women were elected. In the referendum on the Ignalina nuclear power plant, 88.56 per cent of voters approved the extension of the lifetime of the plant. However, turnout was below the 50 per cent required to validate the referendum. The newly elected parliament held its first session on 18 November, and elected Mr. Arunas Valinskas (RNP) as its new Speaker. In the meantime, on 17 November Mr. Kubilius signed an official agreement to form a coalition government with his TS-LKD, the RNP, the Liberals Movement of the Republic of Lithuania and the Liberal and Centre Union. On 20 November, President Adamkus signed a decree proposing the candidature of Mr. Kubilius for the position of the Prime Minister. His nomination was confirmed by the Seimas on 27 November. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 12 October 2008 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 2'696'090 1'309'965 (48.59%) 1'236'716 Notes Statistics above refer to the PR system. Statistics for the majority system: Number of registered voters: 2,696,075 Voters: 1,309,767 (48.58%), Blank or invalid ballot papers: 81,581 Valid votes: 1,228,180 Round no 2 26 October 2008 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 2'581'305 835'636 (32.37%) 800'043 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) 142 Rising Nation party (RNP) 73 Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) 141 Order and Justice Party 140 "Labour Party + Youth" Coalition 130 Liberal and Centre Union 141 Liberals Movement of the Republic of Lithuania 101 Lithuanian Poles' Electoral Action 143 Union of Lithuanian Peasants and Peoples 125 New Union (Social Liberals) 138 Independents Round no 2 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) Liberals Movement of the Republic of Lithuania Order and Justice Party Independents Liberal and Centre Union Union of Lithuanian Peasants and Peoples Rising Nation party (RNP) "Labour Party + Youth" Coalition Lithuanian Poles' Electoral Action New Union (Social Liberals) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats PR Majority Total 1st & 2nd Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) 18 18 0 Rising Nation party (RNP) 13 13 0 Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) 12 10 2 Order and Justice Party 11 11 0 "Labour Party + Youth" Coalition 8 8 0 Liberal and Centre Union 5 5 0 Liberals Movement of the Republic of Lithuania 5 5 0 Lithuanian Poles' Electoral Action 1 0 1 Union of Lithuanian Peasants and Peoples 0 0 0 New Union (Social Liberals) 0 0 0 Independents 0 0 0 Round no 2 Political Group Total of seats PR Majority Total 1st & 2nd Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) 27 45 Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP) 13 25 Liberals Movement of the Republic of Lithuania 6 11 Order and Justice Party 4 15 Independents 4 4 Liberal and Centre Union 3 8 Union of Lithuanian Peasants and Peoples 3 3 Rising Nation party (RNP) 3 16 "Labour Party + Youth" Coalition 2 10 Lithuanian Poles' Electoral Action 2 3 New Union (Social Liberals) 1 1 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 116 25 17.73% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Sources: Parliament (10.11.2008, 01.01.2010) http://www.vrk.lt/2008_seimo_rinkimai/output_en/rezultatai_daugiamand_apygardose/rezultatai_daugiamand_apygardose1turas.html http://www.vrk.lt/rinkimai/400_en/KandidatuSarasai/index.html? http://www.vrk.lt/en/pirmas-puslapis/referendum-information-/referendum-information-.html http://www.vrk.lt/2008_seimo_rinkimai/output_en/referendumas/referendumas.html http://www.vrk.lt/2008_seimo_rinkimai/output_en/rinkimu_diena/isrinkti_seimo_nariai_kadencijaii.html

Parliament name (generic / translated) Seimas / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Speaker of the Seimas Term - duration: 4 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Seimas Appointment - elected by all Members of the Seimas - the election is held at the opening sitting of the newly elected Seimas, 15 days after the legislative elections - after mandates have been validated and Members have been sworn in Eligibility - any Member of the Seimas may be a candidate but his/her formal application must be supported by at least one-tenth of the Members of Parliament Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot - a simple majority is required several rounds may be held and the candidates who have obtained the least votes must withdraw Procedures / results - the senior Member presides over the Seimas during the voting - the Vote-Counting Committee supervises the voting - the outgoing Chairman announces the results without delay - the results may be challenged STATUS Status - ranks second in the hierarchy of State - can act as interim Head of State in certain cases - represents the Seimas in international bodies - in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman can assume his/her role and functions in agreement with the Seimas Board - is regulated by the Standing Orders - consists of the Chairman, three Vice-Chairmen and the Leaders of the parliamentary groups - meets twice weekly at the initiative of the Chairman - is in fact a collegiate presidency Material facilities - allowance + expense allowance - official car - secretariat - bodyguards FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - organizes the debates and sets speaking time - announces the bills and amendments adopted - refers texts to a committee for study, in agreement with the Seimas - examines the admissibility of requests for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting-up of such committees, in agreement with the Seimas The Board of the Seimas convenes sessions Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Seimas - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - gives and withdraws permission to speak, alternating between majority and opposition MPs - calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates - has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates, in agreement with the Seimas Special powers The Board of the Seimas: - establishes the budget - recruits, assigns and promotes staff - appoints the Clerk - organizes the services of Parliament - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Seimas Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates - may vote last - proposes bills or amendments by leaving his seat - intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure - signs laws before transmitting them to the Head of State for promulgation - is empowered to nominate three justices to the Constitutional Court

This page was last updated on 1 February 2010
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