Lithuanian Constitution Exam cheat sheet

The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania was adopted by referendum on 25 October 1992 and entered into force on 2 November 1992; it consists of a Preamble and 14 chapters (I–XIV).

Article 1: the State of Lithuania is an independent, democratic republic; sovereignty belongs to the People (Article 2) and is exercised directly or through representatives.

Article 5: state power is exercised by the Seimas, the President, the Government and the courts; powers are separated and balanced.

Article 3: the territory of the State is integral and indivisible; no part may be alienated; state borders may be changed only by referendum.

Article 6: the Constitution is an integral law of the State; its provisions prevail over conflicting ordinary laws.

Article 7: ordinary laws must comply with the Constitution; invalid acts cannot be applied.

Article 4: the State serves the people; the highest value is the human being and his/her rights and freedoms.

Chapter I also fixes the principle of a secular state and equality of religions before the law (Article 43), with no state religion.

Article 18: human rights and freedoms are innate and inherent from birth; they are not granted by the State.

Article 19: the right to life is protected by law; Article 21 protects the person's dignity and personal inviolability.

Article 20: personal freedom may be restricted only on grounds and by procedure established in law; detention without court decision may not exceed 48 hours.

Article 22: private life, family life, correspondence, and home are inviolable; interference requires a court order or statutory grounds.

Article 25: freedom of expression and information; censorship is prohibited; freedom to seek, receive and impart information.

Article 29: all persons are equal before the law, courts and other state institutions; no privilege or discrimination on grounds of sex, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, religion or opinion.

Articles 26 and 27: freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of belief and expression of religion, are guaranteed; these freedoms may not be restricted otherwise than by law for public safety reasons.

Rights may be limited only by law when necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of others, constitutional values, public order, or state security; the limitation must be proportionate and may not deny the essence of the right.

Seimas: 141 members, elected for 4 years; 71 in single-mandate constituencies (majority) and 70 by proportional representation with a 5% national threshold (7% for coalitions).

President: elected for 5 years by universal suffrage; a candidate must be a Lithuanian citizen by birth, at least 40 years old, and have lived in Lithuania for the last 3 years; the same person may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Government: formed by the Prime Minister, appointed/removed by the President with Seimas approval; the Government is accountable to the Seimas and the President.

Constitutional Court: 9 judges appointed for a non-renewable 9-year term - 3 by the President, 3 by the Seimas, 3 by the President of the Supreme Court; it reviews the constitutionality of laws and other acts.

Constitutional Court decisions are final and binding; an act declared unconstitutional may not be applied from the date of the decision.

Seimas may express no-confidence in the Government by majority of all members; the President may dissolve the Seimas under Article 58 conditions.

The President has a suspensive veto: a law returned to the Seimas may be overridden by an absolute majority of all members (71 votes).

Judges are independent and subject only to the law; judges are appointed for life by the President upon nomination by the Judicial Council (with Seimas consent for Supreme Court judges).

Lithuanian citizenship is acquired by birth (jus sanguinis), naturalisation, or restoration; dual citizenship is allowed only in cases expressly listed in the Citizenship Law (e.g., acquired by birth in some cases, marriage, adoption).

Naturalisation requires, among other things, 10 years of permanent residence, knowledge of Lithuanian, and a source of lawful income; the President may grant citizenship as an exception.

Seimas elections: universal, equal, direct, secret ballot; citizens who are 18 on election day may vote; candidates for Seimas must be at least 25.

Presidential candidates must be at least 40, citizens by birth, and non-affiliated with a political party in some interpretations - citizenship by birth is the strict constitutional requirement.

Referendum: may be called by the Seimas or by 300,000 citizens with voting rights; a referendum is valid if more than half of all voters participate.

Mandatory referendum issues include changing the territory of the State, amending Chapter I or Article 1 of the Constitution, and approving certain constitutional amendments.

Constitutional amendments on Chapters I and XIV require a referendum; other amendments require a 2/3 majority of all Seimas members (94 votes).

The Central Electoral Commission administers elections and referenda; the Constitutional Court may rule on election-law compliance.

Courts of general jurisdiction: district (apylinkės) courts, regional (apygardos) courts, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Lithuania (Aukščiausiasis Teismas).

Specialised courts: administrative courts (regional administrative courts and the Supreme Administrative Court) and, historically, labour courts merged into general jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court is the highest court for civil, criminal and administrative cases; it ensures uniform judicial practice through review and rulings.

Judges are independent, irremovable and subject only to the law; a judge may not hold other elected or appointed office or engage in business.

Prosecution: the Prosecutor General is appointed and dismissed by the President with Seimas consent; prosecutors supervise pre-trial investigations and represent the State in criminal proceedings.

The Judicial Council (Teisėjų taryba) advises on judicial appointments, promotions and discipline; it is a constitutional body under Article 112.

Court proceedings are public; closed hearings are exceptions limited by law (e.g., privacy, state secrets, minors).

The Constitution guarantees the right to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, and the right to counsel (Articles 31 and 32).

Article 119: local self-government is guaranteed; municipalities are territorial administrative units with elected municipal councils.

Municipal councils are elected for 4 years by universal, equal, direct and secret ballot; the number of councillors depends on population size.

Municipalities have their own budgets and the right to levy local taxes and fees within limits set by law (Article 121).

Municipalities may be granted state functions by law; the State must provide the resources needed to perform delegated functions.

The Constitution allows direct democracy at local level: citizens may participate in municipal governance and initiate local referenda under statutory rules.

The Government supervises municipal activity for legality; the Seimas may dissolve a municipal council if it violates the Constitution or laws.

Municipal executive: the mayor (meras) is directly elected since 2015 and heads the municipal administration; the council appoints the director of administration.

The Association of Lithuanian Municipalities represents local interests; municipal boundaries are changed by the Seimas after consulting the population.

Article 127: the State budget is approved by the Seimas for a calendar year; the Government prepares the draft and submits it to the Seimas.

The Seimas may approve the budget only after considering the Government's report; if the budget is not approved by the start of the year, spending is limited to the previous year's proportions.

Taxes, duties and other compulsory payments are established only by law (Article 127); no tax may be imposed without a statutory basis.

The State Tax Inspectorate administers taxes; the Constitution requires that taxation be proportionate and serve the public interest.

The Bank of Lithuania is the central bank; it issues currency and is accountable to the Seimas, not the Government.

The State Control (Valstybės kontrolė) audits the use of state and municipal funds and reports to the Seimas.

The Constitutional Court has ruled that reducing social guarantees or pensions must respect legitimate expectations and proportionality.

Budget amendments follow the same procedure as the budget; the Government may incur state debt only as authorised by law.

Article 135: the State conducts foreign policy in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law and seeks to ensure national security and the well-being of citizens.

Lithuania is a member of the EU (since 2004), NATO (since 2004), the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE; membership limits are set by constitutional amendments and international treaties.

Article 136: Lithuania may join international organisations if this does not conflict with the Constitution; the Seimas ratifies treaties that change the legal order.

Article 137: weapons of mass destruction are prohibited on Lithuanian territory; military bases of foreign states may be established only by law or treaty.

National defence: the Constitution establishes universal military service; the State maintains an army and may declare martial law or a state of emergency.

The State Defence Council, chaired by the President, coordinates defence; the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

A state of emergency or martial law may be declared by the Seimas or, between sessions, by the President, subject to Seimas approval.

Article 142: martial law may be declared in case of armed aggression, and the Seimas must decide on the use of the army.

Article 147: the Constitution may be amended only by a referendum or by the Seimas; Chapters I and XIV may be amended only by referendum.

Amendments to Chapters I and XIV require a referendum with more than half of all voters participating and a majority of those voting.

Amendments to other chapters require a 2/3 majority of all Seimas members (94 of 141).

A constitutional amendment may be proposed by the President, the Government, or at least 1/4 of Seimas members (36 members).

The Seimas may not amend the Constitution during a state of emergency or martial law, and amendments may not be adopted in the last 6 months of the Seimas term on certain issues.

Article 148: amendments to the Constitution must not deny human rights and freedoms or the democratic foundations of the State.

The Constitutional Court reviews the constitutionality of constitutional amendments before they enter into force.

The Seimas may amend the Constitution only after the draft has been considered by the Committee on Legal Affairs and published for public discussion.

The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania was adopted by referendum on 25 October 1992 and entered into force on 2 November 1992; it consists of a Preamble and 14 chapters (I–XIV).

Article 1: the State of Lithuania is an independent, democratic republic; sovereignty belongs to the People (Article 2) and is exercised directly or through representatives.

Article 5: state power is exercised by the Seimas, the President, the Government and the courts; powers are separated and balanced.

Article 3: the territory of the State is integral and indivisible; no part may be alienated; state borders may be changed only by referendum.

Article 6: the Constitution is an integral law of the State; its provisions prevail over conflicting ordinary laws.

Article 7: ordinary laws must comply with the Constitution; invalid acts cannot be applied.

Article 4: the State serves the people; the highest value is the human being and his/her rights and freedoms.

Chapter I also fixes the principle of a secular state and equality of religions before the law (Article 43), with no state religion.

Article 18: human rights and freedoms are innate and inherent from birth; they are not granted by the State.

Article 19: the right to life is protected by law; Article 21 protects the person's dignity and personal inviolability.

Article 20: personal freedom may be restricted only on grounds and by procedure established in law; detention without court decision may not exceed 48 hours.

Article 22: private life, family life, correspondence, and home are inviolable; interference requires a court order or statutory grounds.

Article 25: freedom of expression and information; censorship is prohibited; freedom to seek, receive and impart information.

Article 29: all persons are equal before the law, courts and other state institutions; no privilege or discrimination on grounds of sex, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, religion or opinion.

Articles 26 and 27: freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom of belief and expression of religion, are guaranteed; these freedoms may not be restricted otherwise than by law for public safety reasons.

Rights may be limited only by law when necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of others, constitutional values, public order, or state security; the limitation must be proportionate and may not deny the essence of the right.

Seimas: 141 members, elected for 4 years; 71 in single-mandate constituencies (majority) and 70 by proportional representation with a 5% national threshold (7% for coalitions).

President: elected for 5 years by universal suffrage; a candidate must be a Lithuanian citizen by birth, at least 40 years old, and have lived in Lithuania for the last 3 years; the same person may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Government: formed by the Prime Minister, appointed/removed by the President with Seimas approval; the Government is accountable to the Seimas and the President.

Constitutional Court: 9 judges appointed for a non-renewable 9-year term - 3 by the President, 3 by the Seimas, 3 by the President of the Supreme Court; it reviews the constitutionality of laws and other acts.

Constitutional Court decisions are final and binding; an act declared unconstitutional may not be applied from the date of the decision.

Seimas may express no-confidence in the Government by majority of all members; the President may dissolve the Seimas under Article 58 conditions.

The President has a suspensive veto: a law returned to the Seimas may be overridden by an absolute majority of all members (71 votes).

Judges are independent and subject only to the law; judges are appointed for life by the President upon nomination by the Judicial Council (with Seimas consent for Supreme Court judges).

Lithuanian citizenship is acquired by birth (jus sanguinis), naturalisation, or restoration; dual citizenship is allowed only in cases expressly listed in the Citizenship Law (e.g., acquired by birth in some cases, marriage, adoption).

Naturalisation requires, among other things, 10 years of permanent residence, knowledge of Lithuanian, and a source of lawful income; the President may grant citizenship as an exception.

Seimas elections: universal, equal, direct, secret ballot; citizens who are 18 on election day may vote; candidates for Seimas must be at least 25.

Presidential candidates must be at least 40, citizens by birth, and non-affiliated with a political party in some interpretations - citizenship by birth is the strict constitutional requirement.

Referendum: may be called by the Seimas or by 300,000 citizens with voting rights; a referendum is valid if more than half of all voters participate.

Mandatory referendum issues include changing the territory of the State, amending Chapter I or Article 1 of the Constitution, and approving certain constitutional amendments.

Constitutional amendments on Chapters I and XIV require a referendum; other amendments require a 2/3 majority of all Seimas members (94 votes).

The Central Electoral Commission administers elections and referenda; the Constitutional Court may rule on election-law compliance.

Courts of general jurisdiction: district (apylinkės) courts, regional (apygardos) courts, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Lithuania (Aukščiausiasis Teismas).

Specialised courts: administrative courts (regional administrative courts and the Supreme Administrative Court) and, historically, labour courts merged into general jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court is the highest court for civil, criminal and administrative cases; it ensures uniform judicial practice through review and rulings.

Judges are independent, irremovable and subject only to the law; a judge may not hold other elected or appointed office or engage in business.

Prosecution: the Prosecutor General is appointed and dismissed by the President with Seimas consent; prosecutors supervise pre-trial investigations and represent the State in criminal proceedings.

The Judicial Council (Teisėjų taryba) advises on judicial appointments, promotions and discipline; it is a constitutional body under Article 112.

Court proceedings are public; closed hearings are exceptions limited by law (e.g., privacy, state secrets, minors).

The Constitution guarantees the right to a fair trial, the presumption of innocence, and the right to counsel (Articles 31 and 32).

Article 119: local self-government is guaranteed; municipalities are territorial administrative units with elected municipal councils.

Municipal councils are elected for 4 years by universal, equal, direct and secret ballot; the number of councillors depends on population size.

Municipalities have their own budgets and the right to levy local taxes and fees within limits set by law (Article 121).

Municipalities may be granted state functions by law; the State must provide the resources needed to perform delegated functions.

The Constitution allows direct democracy at local level: citizens may participate in municipal governance and initiate local referenda under statutory rules.

The Government supervises municipal activity for legality; the Seimas may dissolve a municipal council if it violates the Constitution or laws.

Municipal executive: the mayor (meras) is directly elected since 2015 and heads the municipal administration; the council appoints the director of administration.

The Association of Lithuanian Municipalities represents local interests; municipal boundaries are changed by the Seimas after consulting the population.

Article 127: the State budget is approved by the Seimas for a calendar year; the Government prepares the draft and submits it to the Seimas.

The Seimas may approve the budget only after considering the Government's report; if the budget is not approved by the start of the year, spending is limited to the previous year's proportions.

Taxes, duties and other compulsory payments are established only by law (Article 127); no tax may be imposed without a statutory basis.

The State Tax Inspectorate administers taxes; the Constitution requires that taxation be proportionate and serve the public interest.

The Bank of Lithuania is the central bank; it issues currency and is accountable to the Seimas, not the Government.

The State Control (Valstybės kontrolė) audits the use of state and municipal funds and reports to the Seimas.

The Constitutional Court has ruled that reducing social guarantees or pensions must respect legitimate expectations and proportionality.

Budget amendments follow the same procedure as the budget; the Government may incur state debt only as authorised by law.

Article 135: the State conducts foreign policy in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law and seeks to ensure national security and the well-being of citizens.

Lithuania is a member of the EU (since 2004), NATO (since 2004), the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE; membership limits are set by constitutional amendments and international treaties.

Article 136: Lithuania may join international organisations if this does not conflict with the Constitution; the Seimas ratifies treaties that change the legal order.

Article 137: weapons of mass destruction are prohibited on Lithuanian territory; military bases of foreign states may be established only by law or treaty.

National defence: the Constitution establishes universal military service; the State maintains an army and may declare martial law or a state of emergency.

The State Defence Council, chaired by the President, coordinates defence; the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

A state of emergency or martial law may be declared by the Seimas or, between sessions, by the President, subject to Seimas approval.

Article 142: martial law may be declared in case of armed aggression, and the Seimas must decide on the use of the army.

Article 147: the Constitution may be amended only by a referendum or by the Seimas; Chapters I and XIV may be amended only by referendum.

Amendments to Chapters I and XIV require a referendum with more than half of all voters participating and a majority of those voting.

Amendments to other chapters require a 2/3 majority of all Seimas members (94 of 141).

A constitutional amendment may be proposed by the President, the Government, or at least 1/4 of Seimas members (36 members).

The Seimas may not amend the Constitution during a state of emergency or martial law, and amendments may not be adopted in the last 6 months of the Seimas term on certain issues.

Article 148: amendments to the Constitution must not deny human rights and freedoms or the democratic foundations of the State.

The Constitutional Court reviews the constitutionality of constitutional amendments before they enter into force.

The Seimas may amend the Constitution only after the draft has been considered by the Committee on Legal Affairs and published for public discussion.