The political framework of Lithuania

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Gitanas NAUSEDA (since 12 July 2019)
Prime Minister: Gintautas PALUCKAS (since 12 December 2024)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: 2029
Parliamentary: October 2028

Main Political Parties

Lithuania has a multi-party system in which a single party usually does not have a chance of gaining power alone. Parties often work together to form coalition governments. The major parties in the parliament include:

- Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP): centre-left, progressive, oldest party
- Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD): centre-right, nationalist
- Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA): populist, nationalist
- Union of Democrats "For Lithuania" (DSVL): centre-left on economic policy and centre-right on socio-cultural issues
- Farmers and Green Union (LPGU): centrist agrarian
- Liberal Movement of the Republic of Lithuania (LRLS): centre-right
- Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania (EAPL–CFA): conservatism, polish minority interest
- National Alliance (NA): far-right
- Freedom and Justice (PLT): conservative liberalism.

Executive Power

The President of Lithuania is the head of state, elected by popular vote for a five-year term, renewable once consecutively. The President also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and plays a key role in overseeing foreign and security policy. The Prime Minister, who is the head of government, is appointed by the President with the approval of the Seimas (Parliament), usually from the majority party or ruling coalition, and serves a four-year term. The Prime Minister holds executive powers, including the implementation of laws and managing the day-to-day affairs of the government. The Council of Ministers (Cabinet) is appointed by the President based on the Prime Minister’s nominations.

Legislative Power

Lithuania's legislature is unicameral, with the Seimas serving as the sole parliamentary chamber, consisting of 141 seats. Members are elected through a mixed electoral system: 71 members are chosen in single-member constituencies by majority vote, while 70 members are elected through proportional representation from party lists. All members serve four-year terms. A party must secure at least 5% of the national vote to gain representation in the Seimas, while multi-party alliances must reach 7%.

The Prime Minister does not have the authority to dissolve the Seimas. However, the President can dissolve Parliament under specific conditions, such as if the Seimas fails to adopt a budget within 60 days, expresses no confidence in the government, or formally requests dissolution. The President cannot dissolve the Seimas during a state of emergency, in the last six months of their term, or within six months of a previous dissolution. Additionally, the Prime Minister does not have veto power over legislation passed by the Seimas.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

28/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Free

Political Freedom:

1/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House