Constitutional Amendments and Revision Procedure
This domain tests how the Constitution can be changed and what cannot be changed by ordinary politics.
Procedure
The Constitution may be amended by referendum or by the Seimas. The right to propose amendments belongs to the President, at least one third of all Seimas members, and the Government. A Seimas amendment requires at least two-thirds of all Seimas members, not merely two-thirds of those present. No amendment may be made during a state of emergency or war.
Entrenched core
The provisions on the independent democratic republic, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of the constitutional order are referendum-only. They cannot be repealed or diluted by a parliamentary majority.
Worked example. Two-thirds of the Seimas vote to allow a foreign state to annex part of Lithuania. The vote is insufficient and unlawful: territorial integrity is referendum-only and cannot be transferred by ordinary amendment.
Traps. A simple majority can amend the Constitution - false. The Government can amend by decree - false. Every amendment needs a referendum - false; most can go through the Seimas. A two-thirds majority of members present is enough - false; two-thirds of all members is required.