Lithuania Government

Lithuania is a representative democracy state. Leaders are elected to represent citizens in the parliament. They exercise multi-party democracy. The president is the head of state while the prime minister heads the government. The president has the powers to appoint the premier who must be approved by the Lithuanian parliament. The prime minister, in turn, appoints the ministers. The prime minister represents the government and heads all the activities of the government. The ministers are in charge of all the affairs related to their respective ministries.

Only 71 of the 141 legislatures are elected for a four-year term in their respective constituencies. The other 70 members of parliament are elected in a national election based on proportional representation. Individuals residing in Lithuania with a nationality to countries in the European Union are allowed to vote for delegates to the European Parliament. The voting is by secret ballot. It is organized and conducted by Central Electoral Commission and monitored by local and international observers.

The Republic of Lithuania has a Unicameral Parliamentary House called the Seimas. The proceedings of the Seimas are held in the Seimas Palace. The Seimas Palace is located in the center of Vilnius at the end of Gediminas Avenue. The Seimas Palace consists of three buildings: the first building hosts the proceedings of Seimas while the second one houses the Ministry of Finance and the Lithuanian SSR. The official presidential residence is referred to the Presidential Palace. It is located in the old town of Vilnius. The palace was built in the 14th century but it was officially recognized as the presidential residence in 1997.

Lithuania has a multiparty system of government where coalition governments must be formed. Active parties include the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union, the Homeland Union, the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, and the Liberal Movement.