{ Adopted on: 25 Oct 1992 }
{ Last Amendment: 21 March 2019 }
{ ICL Document Status: 30 March 2022 }
The ICL edition is based on the translation provided by the government and adopted according to ICL guidelines. For better comparisons between constitutional documents, we have changed the words 'Saeima' to 'Parliament', 'honour' to 'honor', 'favour' to 'favor', 'labour' to 'labor'. }
[Preamble]
The Lithuanian Nation
-- having created the State of Lithuania many centuries ago,
-- having based its legal foundations on the Lithuanian Statutes and the Constitutions of the Republic of Lithuania,
-- having for centuries staunchly defended its freedom and independence,
-- having preserved its spirit, native language, writing, and customs,
-- embodying the innate right of the human being and the Nation to live and create freely in the land of their fathers and forefathersin the independent State of Lithuania,
-- fostering national concord in the land of Lithuania,
-- striving for an open, just, and harmonious civil society and a State under the rule of law, by the will of the citizens of the reborn State of Lithuania, adopts and proclaims this Constitution
Article 1 [Democratic Republic]The State of Lithuania is an independent democratic republic.
Article 2 [Sovereignty]The State of Lithuania is created by the Nation. Sovereignty belongs to the Nation.
Article 3 [Sovereign Powers](1) No one may restrict or limit the sovereignty of the Nation or arrogate to himself the sovereign powers belonging to the entire Nation.
(2) The Nation and each citizen have the right to resist anyone who encroaches on the independence, territorial integrity, and constitutional order of the State of Lithuania by force.
Article 4 [Execution of Sovereign Power]The Nation executes its supreme sovereign power either directly or through its democratically elected representatives.
Article 5 [State Power](1) In Lithuania, state power is executed by the Parliament, the President of the Republic and the Government, and the Judiciary.
(2) The scope of power is limited by the Constitution.
(3) State institutions serve the people.
Article 6 [Constitution](1) The Constitution is an integral and directly applicable act.
(2) Everyone may defend his rights by invoking the Constitution.
Article 7 [Law](1) Any law or other act that contradicts the Constitution is invalid.
(2) Only laws that are published are valid.
(3) Ignorance of the law exempts no one from liability.
Article 8 [Seizure of State Power]The seizure of state power or state institutions by force is considered anti-constitutional actions, which are unlawful and invalid.
Article 9 [Referendum](1) The most significant issues concerning the life of the State and the Nation are decided by referendum.
(2) In cases established by law, the Parliament calls a referendum.
(3) A referendum is also called if not less than 300,000 citizens with the electoral right so request.
(4) The procedure for calling and conducting referendums is established by law.
Article 10 [Territory](1) The territory of the State of Lithuania is integral and is not divided into any state-like formations.
(2) The boundaries of the State may be altered only by an international treaty of the Republic of Lithuania after it is ratified by 4/5 of all the Members of the Parliament.
Article 11 [Territorial Administrative Units]The territorial administrative units of the State of Lithuania and their boundaries are established by law.
Article 12 [Citizenship](1) Citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania is acquired by birth or on other grounds established by law.
(2) With the exception of individual cases provided for by law, no one may be a citizen of both the Republic of Lithuania and another state at the same time.
(3) The procedure for the acquisition and loss of citizenship is established by law.
Article 13 [Protection Against Extradition](1) The State of Lithuania protects its citizens abroad.
(2) It is prohibited to extradite a citizen of the Republic of Lithuania to another state unless an international treaty of the Republic of Lithuania establishes otherwise.
Article 14 [State Language]Lithuanian is the state language.
Article 15 [Flag Colors, Coat of Arms](1) The colors of the flag of the State are yellow, green, and red.
(2) The coat of arms of the State is a white Vytis on a red field.
(3) The coat of arms and flag of the State, as well as their use, are established by law.
Article 16 [Anthem]The anthem of the State is "Tautiöka giesm by Vincas Kudirka.
Article 17 [Capital]The capital of the State of Lithuania is the city of Vilnius, the long-standing historical capital of Lithuania.
Article 18 [Human Rights and Freedoms]Human rights and freedoms are innate.
Article 19 [Right to Life]The right to life of a human being is protected by law.
Article 20 [Human Liberty](1) Human liberty is inviolable.
(2) No one may be arbitrarily apprehended or detained. No one may be deprived of his liberty otherwise than on the grounds and according to the procedures established by law.
(3) A person apprehended
in flagrante delicto must, within 48 hours, be brought before a court for the purpose of deciding, in the presence of this person, on the validity of the apprehension. If the court does not adopt a decision to detain the person, the apprehended person is released immediately.
Article 21 [Human Dignity](1) The human person is inviolable.
(2) Human dignity is protected by law.
(3) It is prohibited to torture or injure a human being, degrade his dignity, subject him to cruel treatment, or to establish such punishments.
(4) No one may be subjected to scientific or medical experimentation without his knowledge and free consent.
Article 22 [Protection of Privacy](1) Private life is inviolable.
(2) Personal correspondence, telephone conversations, telegraph messages, and other communications are inviolable.
(3) Information concerning the private life of a person may be collected only upon a justified court decision and only according to the law.
(4) The law and courts protect everyone from arbitrary or unlawful interference with his private and family life, as well as from encroachment upon his honour and dignity.
Article 23 [Property](1) Property is inviolable.
(2) The rights of ownership are protected by law.
(3) Property may be taken only for the needs of society according to the procedure established by law and is justly compensated for.
Article 24 [Home](1) The home of a human being is inviolable.
(2) Without the consent of the resident, it is not permitted to enter his home otherwise than by a court decision or according to the procedure established by law when this is necessary to guarantee public order, apprehend a criminal, or save the life, health, or property of a human being.
Article 25 [Freedom of Conviction](1) Everyone has the right to have his own convictions and freely express them.
(2) No one must be hindered from seeking, receiving, or imparting information and ideas.
(3) The freedom to express convictions, as well as to receive and impart information, may not be limited otherwise than by law when this is necessary to protect human health, honor or dignity, private life, or morals, or to defend the constitutional order.
(4) The freedom to express convictions and to impart information is incompatible with criminal actionsincitement to national, racial, religious, or social hatred, incitement to violence or to discrimination, as well as defamation and disinformation.
(5) Citizens have the right to receive, according to the procedure established by law, any information held about them by state institutions.
Article 26 [Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion](1) Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is not restricted.
(2) Everyone has the right to freely choose any religion or belief and, either alone or with others, in private or in public, to profess his religion, to perform religious ceremonies, as well as to practice and teach his belief.
(3) No one may compel another person or be compelled to choose or profess any religion or belief.
(4) The freedom to profess and spread religion or belief may not be limited otherwise than by law and only when this is necessary to guarantee the security of society, public order, the health or morals of people, or other basic rights or freedoms of the person.
(5) Parents and guardians take care, without restrictions, of the religious and moral education of their children and wards according to their own convictions.
Article 27 [Crimes, Failure to Observe Laws]Convictions, practiced religion, or belief may not serve as a justification for a crime or failure to observe laws.
Article 28 [Implementation of Rights]While implementing his rights and exercising his freedoms, everyone must observe the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Lithuania and must not restrict the rights and freedoms of other people.
Article 29 [Equality](1) All persons are equal before the law, courts, and other state institutions and officials.
(2) Human rights may not be restricted; no one may be granted any privileges on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, belief, convictions, or views.
Article 30 [Right to Legal Proceedings](1) A person whose constitutional rights or freedoms are violated has the right to apply to a court.
(2) Compensation for material and moral damage inflicted upon a person is established by law.
Article 31 [Criminal Procedure](1) A person is presumed innocent until proved guilty according to the procedure established by law and declared guilty by an effective court judgment.
(2) A person charged with committing a crime has the right to a public and fair hearing of his case by an independent and impartial court.
(3) It is prohibited to compel anyone to give evidence against himself, or his family members or close relatives.
(4) Punishment may be imposed or applied only on the grounds established by law.
(5) No one may be punished twice for the same offence.
(6) A person suspected of committing a crime, as well as the accused, is guaranteed, from the moment of his apprehension or first interrogation, the right to defense, as well as the right to an advocate.
Article 32 [Place of Residence](1) Citizens may move and choose their place of residence in Lithuania freely and may leave Lithuania freely.
(2) These rights may not be restricted otherwise than by law when this is necessary for the protection of the security of the State or the health of people, or for the administration of justice.
(3) Citizens may not be prohibited from returning to Lithuania.
(4) Everyone who is Lithuanian may settle in Lithuania.
Article 33 [Political Rights](1) Citizens have the right to participate in the governance of their State both directly and through their democratically elected representatives, as well as the right to enter on equal terms the State Service of the Republic of Lithuania.
(2) Citizens are guaranteed the right to criticize the work of state institutions or their officials and to appeal against their decisions. Persecution for criticism is prohibited.
(3) Citizens are guaranteed the right of petition; the procedure for the implementation of this right is established by law.
Article 34 [Electoral Right](1) Citizens who, on the day of the election, have reached 18 years of age have the electoral right.
(2) The right to stand for election is established by the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and by the election laws.
(3) Citizens who are declared by a court to be legally incapacitated do not participate in elections.
Article 35 [Freedom of Association](1) Citizens are guaranteed the right to freely form societies, political parties, and associations provided that the aims and activities thereof are not contrary to the Constitution and laws.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to any society, political party, or association.
(3) The founding and activities of political parties and other political and public organizations are regulated by law.
Article 36 [Freedom of Assembly](1) Citizens may not be prohibited or hindered from assembling unarmed in peaceful meetings.
(2) This right may not be limited otherwise than by law and only when this is necessary to protect the security of the State or society, public order, the health or morals of people, or the rights or freedoms of other persons.
Article 37 [Ethnic Communities]Citizens belonging to ethnic communities have the right to foster their language, culture, and customs.
Article 38 [Family](1) The family is the basis of society and the State.
(2) Family, motherhood, fatherhood, and childhood are under the protection and care of the State.
(3) Marriage is concluded upon the free mutual consent of man and woman.
(4) The State registers marriages, births, and deaths. The State also recognizes the church registration of marriages.
(5) In the family, the rights of spouses are equal.
(6) The right and duty of parents is to bring up their children to be honest people and faithful citizens, and to support them until they reach the age of majority.
(7) The duty of children is to respect their parents, to take care of them in their old age, and to preserve their heritage.
Article 39 [Children](1) The State takes care of families raising and bringing up children at home, and renders them support according to the procedure established by law.
(2) The law makes a provision for working mothers to be granted paid leave before and after childbirth, as well as favorable working conditions and other concessions.
(3) Under-age children are protected by law.
Article 40 [Establishments of Teaching and Education](1) State and municipal establishments of teaching and education are secular. At the request of parents, they provide religious instruction.
(2) Non-state establishments of teaching and education may be founded according to the procedure established by law.
(3) Schools of higher education are granted autonomy.
(4) The State supervises the activities of establishments of teaching and education.
Article 41 [Education](1) Education is compulsory for persons under the age of 16.
(2) Education at state and municipal schools of general education, vocational schools, and schools of further education is free of charge.
(3) Higher education is accessible to everyone according to individual abilities. Citizens who are good at their studies are guaranteed education at state schools of higher education free of charge.
Article 42 [Culture, Science, and Research](1) Culture, science and research, and teaching are free.
(2) The State supports culture and science, and takes care of the protection of Lithuanian historical, artistic, and other cultural monuments, as well as other culturally valuable objects.
(3) The law protects and defends the spiritual and material interests of an author that are related to scientific, technical, cultural, and artistic work.
Article 43 [Churches and Religious Organizations](1) The State recognizes the churches and religious organizations that are traditional in Lithuania; other churches and religious organizations are recognized provided that they have support in society, and their teaching and practices are not in conflict with the law and public morals.
(2) Churches and religious organizations recognized by the State have the rights of a legal person.
(3) Churches and religious organizations are free to proclaim their teaching, perform their ceremonies, and have houses of prayer, charity establishments, and schools for the training of priests.
(4) Churches and religious organizations conduct their affairs freely according to their canons and statutes.
(5) The status of churches and other religious organizations in the State are established by agreement or by law.
(6) The teaching proclaimed by churches and religious organizations, other religious activities, and houses of prayer may not be used for purposes that are in conflict with the Constitution and laws.
(7) There is no state religion in Lithuania.
Article 44 [Censorship](1) Censorship of mass information is prohibited.
(2) The State, political parties, political or public organizations, or other institutions or persons may not monopolize the mass media.
Article 45 [Ethnic Communities](1) Ethnic communities of citizens independently manage the affairs of their ethnic culture, education, charity, and mutual assistance.
(2) Ethnic communities are provided support by the State.
Article 46 [Economy](1) The economy of Lithuania is based on the right of private ownership, freedom of individual economic activity, and economic initiative.
(2) The State supports economic efforts and initiative that are useful to society.
(3) The State regulates economic activity so that it serves the general welfare of the Nation.
(4) The law prohibits the monopolization of production and the market, and protects freedom of fair competition.
(5) The State defends the interests of the consumer.
Article 47 [Land Ownership](1) The subsurface, as well as the internal waters, forests, parks, roads, and historical, archaeological, and cultural objects of state importance, belong by right of exclusive ownership to the Republic of Lithuania.
(2) The Republic of Lithuania has the exclusive rights to the airspace over its territory, its continental shelf, and the economic zone in the Baltic Sea.
(3) In the Republic of Lithuania, foreign entities may acquire the ownership of land, internal waters, and forests according to a constitutional law.
(4) Plots of land may belong to a foreign state by right of ownership for the establishment of its diplomatic missions and consular posts according to the procedure and conditions established by law.
Article 48 [Labor](1) Everyone may freely choose a job or business, and has the right to have proper, safe, and healthy conditions at work, as well as to receive fair pay for work and social security in the event of unemployment.
(2) The work of foreigners in the Republic of Lithuania is regulated by law.
(3) Forced labor is prohibited.
(4) Military service or alternative service performed instead of military service, as well as work performed by citizens in time of war, natural disaster, epidemics, or other extreme cases, are not considered forced labor.
(5) In cases where persons convicted by a court perform work regulated by law, such work is not considered forced labor, either.
Article 49 [Right to Rest and Leisure](1) Every working person has the right to rest and leisure, as well as to annual paid leave.
(2) The length of working time is established by law.
Article 50 [Trade Unions](1) Trade unions are established freely and function independently. They defend the professional, economic, and social rights and interests of employees.
(2) All trade unions have equal rights.
Article 51 [Right to Strike](1) While defending their economic and social interests, employees have the right to strike.
(2) Limitations on this right and the conditions and procedure for its implementation are established by law.
Article 52 [Social Assistance]The State guarantees its citizens the right to receive old-age and disability pensions, as well as social assistance in the event of unemployment, sickness, widowhood, the loss of the breadwinner, and in other cases provided for by law.
Article 53 [Health](1) The State takes care of the health of people and guarantees medical aid and services for a person in the event of sickness. The procedure for providing medical aid to citizens free of charge at state medical establishments is established by law.
(2) The State promotes the physical culture of society and supports sport.
(3) The State and each person must protect the environment from harmful influences.
Article 54 [Protection of the Environment](1) The State takes care of the protection of the natural environment, wildlife and plants, individual objects of nature, and areas of particular value, and supervises the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as their restoration and increase.
(2) The destruction of land and subsurface, the pollution of water and air, radioactive impact on the environment, as well as the depletion of wildlife and plants, are prohibited by law.
Article 55 [Composition and Election](1) The Parliament consists of representatives of the Nation141 Members of the Parliament, who are elected for a four-year term on the basis of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
(2) The Parliament is deemed elected when not less than 3/5 of the Members of the Parliament are elected.
(3) The procedure for the election of the Members of the Parliament is established by law.
Article 56 [Eligibility](1) Any citizen of the Republic of Lithuania who is not bound by an oath or a pledge to a foreign state, and who, on the election day, is not younger than 25 years of age and permanently resides in Lithuania, may stand for election as a Member of the Parliament.
(2) Persons who have not served punishment imposed by a court judgment, as well as persons declared by a court to be legally incapacitated, may not stand for election as a Member of the Parliament.
Article 57 [Regular Election](1) A regular election to the Parliament is held in the year of the expiry of the powers of the Members of the Parliament on the second Sunday of October.
(2) A regular election to the Parliament following an early election to the Parliament is held at the time specified in the first paragraph of this Article.
Article 58 [Early Election](1) An early election to the Parliament may be held upon the decision of the Parliament adopted by not less than a 3/5 majority vote of the Members of the Parliament.
(2) An early election to the Parliament may also be called by the President of the Republic:
1) if the Parliament fails to adopt a decision on the new program of the Government within 30 days of its presentation, or if the Parliament twice in succession gives no assent to the program of the Government within 60 days of its first presentation;
2) upon the proposal of the Government, if the Parliament expresses direct no confidence in the Government.
(3) The President of the Republic may not call an early election to the Parliament if the term of office of the President of the Republic expires in less than 6 months, or if 6 months have not passed since the early election to the Parliament.
(4) The day of election to the new Parliament is specified in the resolution of the Parliament or in the act of the President of the Republic on the early election to the Parliament. The election to the new Parliament must be held within 3 months of the adoption of the decision on the early election.
Article 59 [Term of Powers](1) The term of powers of the Members of the Parliament begins to be counted from the day on which the newly elected Parliament convenes for the first sitting. The term of powers of the previously elected Members of the Parliament expires at the beginning of this sitting.
(2) An elected Member of the Parliament acquires all the rights of a representative of the Nation only after taking an oath at the Parliament to be faithful to the Republic of Lithuania.
(3) A Member of the Parliament who either does not take the oath according to the procedure established by law or takes a conditional oath loses the mandate of a Member of the Parliament. The Parliament adopts a corresponding resolution thereon.
(4) While in office, the Members of the Parliament follow the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, the interests of the State, as well as their own consciences, and may not be restricted by any mandates.
Article 60 [Duties](1) The duties of the Members of the Parliament, with the exception of their duties at the Parliament, are incompatible with any other duties at state institutions or organizations, or with work in business, commercial, or other private establishments or enterprises. During their term of office, the Members of the Parliament are exempt from the duty to perform national defense service.
(2) A Member of the Parliament may be appointed only either as the Prime Minister or a Minister.
(3) The work of the Members of the Parliament, as well as all expenses relating to their parliamentary activities, are remunerated from the State Budget. A Member of the Parliament may not receive any other remuneration, with the exception of remuneration for creative activities.
(4) The duties, rights, and guarantees of the activities of a Member of the Parliament are established by law.
Article 61 [Interpellation](1) A Member of the Parliament has the right to submit an inquiry to the Prime Minister, the Ministers, and the heads of other state institutions formed or elected by the Parliament. The said persons must respond orally or in writing during the session of the Parliament according to the procedure established by the Parliament.
(2) During a session of the Parliament, a group of not less than 1/5 of the Members of the Parliament may interpellate the Prime Minister or a Minister.
(3) Upon considering the response of the Prime Minister or the Minister to the interpellation, the Parliament may decide that the response is not satisfactory, and, by a majority vote of half of all the Members of the Parliament, may express no confidence in the Prime Minister or the Minister.
(4) The voting procedure is established by law.
Article 62 [Immunity](1) The person of a Member of the Parliament is inviolable.
(2) The Members of the Parliament may not be held criminally liable or be detained, or have their liberty restricted otherwise, without the consent of the Parliament.
(3) The Members of the Parliament may not be persecuted for their votes or speeches at the Parliament. However, they may be held liable according to the general procedure for personal insult or defamation.
Article 63 [Duration of Powers]The powers of a Member of the Parliament cease:
1) upon the expiry of the term of powers, or when the Parliament elected in an early election convenes for the first sitting;
2) upon his death;
3) upon his resignation;
4) when he is declared by a court to be legally incapacitated;
5) when the Parliament revokes his mandate according to the procedure for impeachment proceedings;
6) when the election is declared invalid, or the law on election is grossly violated;
7) when he takes up or does not give up employment that is incompatible with the duties of a Member of the Parliament ;
8) when he loses his citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 64 [Sessions](1) Every year, the Parliament convenes for two regular sessionsin spring and autumn. The spring session commences on the 10th of March and ends on the 30th of June. The autumn session commences on the 10th of September and ends on the 23rd of December. The Parliament may decide to prolong a session.
(2) Extraordinary sessions are convened by the Speaker of the Parliament upon the proposal of not less than one-third of all the Members of the Parliament , or by the President of the Republic in cases provided for in the Constitution.
Article 65 [First Sitting]The President of the Republic convenes the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament , which must be held within 15 days of the election of the Parliament . If the President of the Republic fails to convene the Parliament, the Members of the Parliament assemble by themselves on the day following the expiry of the 15-day period.
Article 66 [Procedure](1) Sittings of the Parliament are presided over by the Speaker of the Parliament , or his Deputy.
(2) The first sitting of the Parliament after its election is opened by the eldest Member of the Parliament.
Article 67 [Powers]The Parliament:
1) considers and adopts amendments to the Constitution;
2) passes laws;
3) adopts resolutions on referendums;
4) calls elections for the President of the Republic of Lithuania;
5) establishes state institutions provided for by law, and appoints and releases their heads;
6) gives or gives not its assent to the candidate proposed by the President of the Republic for the post of the Prime Minister;
7) considers the program of the Government, presented by the Prime Minister, and decides whether to give its assent to it;
8) establishes and abolishes, upon the proposal of the Government, the ministries of the Republic of Lithuania;
9) supervises the activities of the Government and may express no confidence in the Prime Minister or a Minister;
10) appoints the justices and Presidents of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court;
11) appoints and releases the Auditor General and the Chairperson of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania;
12) calls elections to municipal councils;
13) forms the Central Electoral Commission and alters its composition;
14) approves the State Budget and supervises its execution;
15) establishes state taxes and other compulsory payments;
16) ratifies and denounces international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania and considers other issues of foreign policy;
17) establishes the administrative division of the Republic;
18) establishes the state awards of the Republic of Lithuania;
19) issues acts of amnesty;
20) imposes direct rule and martial law, declares states of emergency, announces mobilization, and adopts a decision to use the armed forces.
Article 68 [Legislative Initiative](1) The right of legislative initiative at the Parliament belongs to the Members of the Parliament , the President of the Republic, and the Government.
(2) The citizens of the Republic of Lithuania also have the right of legislative initiative. 50,000 citizens of the Republic of Lithuania who have the electoral right may submit a draft law to the Parliament , and the Parliament must consider it.
Article 69 [Adoption of Laws](1) Laws are adopted at the Parliament according to the procedure established by law.
(2) Laws are deemed adopted if the majority of the Members of the Parliament participating in the sitting vote in favor thereof.
(3) Constitutional laws of the Republic of Lithuania are adopted if more than half of all the Members of the Parliament vote in favor thereof, and they are altered by not less than a 3/5 majority vote of all the Members of the Parliament. The Parliament establishes the list of constitutional laws by a 3/5 majority vote of the Members of the Parliament.
(4) The provisions of laws of the Republic of Lithuania may also be adopted by referendum.
Article 70 [Coming into Force](1) Laws adopted by the Parliament come into force after they are signed and officially promulgated by the President of the Republic, unless the laws themselves establish a later date for their entry into force.
(2) Other acts adopted by the Parliament , as well as the Statute of the Parliament, are signed by the Speaker of the Parliament. The said acts come into force on the day following their publication, unless the acts themselves establish another procedure for their entry into force.
Article 71 [Signature and Promulgation](1) Within ten days of receiving a law adopted by the Parliament, the President of the Republic either signs and officially promulgates the law or, upon reasonable grounds, refers it back to the Parliament for reconsideration.
(2) If the law adopted by the Parliament is neither referred back nor signed by the President of the Republic within the specified period, the law comes into force after it is signed and officially promulgated by the Speaker of the Parliament.
(3) A law or another act adopted by referendum must, within 5 days, be signed and officially promulgated by the President of the Republic.
(4) If the President of the Republic does not sign and promulgate such a law within the specified period, the law comes into force after it is signed and officially promulgated by the Speaker of the Parliament.
Article 72 [Reconsideration](1) The Parliament may consider anew and adopt a law referred back by the President of the Republic.
(2) The law reconsidered by the Parliament is deemed adopted if the amendments and supplements submitted by the President of the Republic are adopted, or if more than 1/2 of all the Members of the Parliament vote for the law, or, in cases where such a law is a constitutional lawif not less than 3/5 of all the Members of the Parliament vote in favor thereof.
(3) The President of the Republic must sign such laws within three days and promulgate them immediately.
Article 73 [Abuse of Authority](1) Complaints of citizens about the abuse of authority or bureaucratic intransigence by state and municipal officials (with the exception of judges) are examined by the Parliament Ombudsmen, who have the right to submit a proposal before a court for dismissing the guilty officials from office.
(2) The powers of the Parliament Ombudsmen are established by law.
(3) The Parliament also establishes, when necessary, other institutions of control. Their system and powers are established by law.
Article 74 [Removal from Office]The President of the Republic, the President and justices of the Constitutional Court, the President and justices of the Supreme Court, the President and judges of the Court of Appeal, as well as any Members of the Parliament, who grossly violate the Constitution or breach their oath, or are found to have committed a crime, may be removed from office or have the mandate of a Member of the Parliament revoked by a 3/5 majority vote of all the Members of the Parliament. This is performed according to the procedure for impeachment proceedings, which is established by the Statute of the Parliament.
Article 75 [Dismissal of Officials]The officials appointed or elected by the Parliament, with the exception of the persons specified in Article 74 of the Constitution, are dismissed from office when the Parliament expresses no confidence in them by a majority vote of all the Members of the Parliament.
Article 76 [Structure and Procedure of Activities]The structure and procedure of activities of the Parliament are established by the Statute of the Parliament. The Statute of the Parliament has the force of a law.
Article 77 [Head of State](1) The President of the Republic is the Head of State.
(2) The President of the Republic represents the State of Lithuania and performs everything with which he is charged by the Constitution and laws.
Article 78 [Eligibility](1) A Lithuanian citizen by descent who has lived in Lithuania for not less than the last three years, provided that he has reached the age of not less than 40 prior to the election day and may stand for election as a Member of the Parliament, may stand for election as the President of the Republic.
(2) The President of the Republic is elected by the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania for a five-year term by universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
(3) The same person may not be elected the President of the Republic for more than two consecutive terms.
Article 79 [Presidential Candidate](1) Any citizen of the Republic of Lithuania who meets the conditions set forth in the first paragraph of Article 78 and collects the signatures of not less than 20,000 voters is registered as a presidential candidate.
(2) The number of candidates for the post of the President of the Republic is not limited.
Article 80 [Regular Election]A regular election of the President of the Republic is held on the last Sunday two months before the expiry of the term of office of the President of the Republic.
Article 81 [Voting Procedure](1) The candidate for the post of the President of the Republic who, during the first round of voting in which not less than half of all the voters participate, receives the votes of more than half of all the voters who participate in the election is deemed elected. If less than half of all the voters participate in the election, the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes, but not less than 1/3 of the votes of all the voters, is deemed elected.
(2) If, during the first round of voting, no single candidate gets the requisite number of votes, the second round of voting is held two weeks later with the two candidates who have received the greatest number of votes standing against each other. The candidate who receives more votes is deemed elected.
(3) If no more than two candidates take part in the first round, and neither of them receives the requisite number of votes, a repeat election is held.
Article 82 [Oath](1) On the day following the expiry of the term of office of the President of the Republic, the elected President of the Republic takes office after he, in Vilnius, in the presence of the representatives of the Nationthe Members of the Parliament, takes an oath to the Nation to be faithful to the Republic of Lithuania and the Constitution, to conscientiously fulfil the duties of his office, and to be equally just to all.
(2) A re-elected President of the Republic also takes the oath.
(3) The act on taking the oath of the President of the Republic is signed by him and by the President of the Constitutional Court or, in the absence of the latter, by a justice of the Constitutional Court.
Article 83 [Incompatibilities](1) The President of the Republic may not be a Member of the Parliament, may not hold any other office, and may not receive any remuneration other than the remuneration established for the President of the Republic and remuneration for creative activities.
(2) A person elected the President of the Republic must suspend his activities in political parties and political organizations until the beginning of a new campaign for the election of the President of the Republic.
Article 84 [Tasks]The President of the Republic:
1) decides the basic issues of foreign policy and, together with the Government, conducts foreign policy;
2) signs international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania and submits them to the Parliament for ratification;
3) appoints and recalls, upon submission by the Government, the diplomatic representatives of the Republic of Lithuania to foreign states and international organisations; receives the letters of credence and recall of the diplomatic representatives of foreign states; and confers the highest diplomatic ranks and special titles;
4) appoints, upon the assent of the Parliament, the Prime Minister; charges the Prime Minister with forming the Government; and approves the composition of the formed Government;
5) releases, upon the assent of the Parliament, the Prime Minister from duties;
6) accepts the powers returned by the Government upon the election of a new Parliament and charges the Government with exercising its duties until a new Government is formed;
7) accepts the resignation of the Government and, when necessary, charges it with continuing to exercise its duties, or charges one of the Ministers with exercising the duties of the Prime Minister, until a new Government is formed; accepts the resignations of Ministers and may charge them with exercising their duties until a new respective Minister is appointed;
8) proposes, upon the resignation of the Government or after it returns its powers, within 15 days, the candidate for the post of the Prime Minister for consideration by the Parliament;
9) appoints and releases Ministers upon submission by the Prime Minister;
10) appoints and releases, according to the established procedure, state officials provided for by law;
11) proposes candidates for the posts of the justices of the Supreme Court for consideration by the Parliament and, upon the appointment of all the justices of the Supreme Court, proposes the candidate from among them for the post of the President of the Supreme Court to be appointed by the Parliament; appoints the judges of the Court of Appeal and, from among them, the President of the Court of Appeal, provided that the Parliament gives its assent to the candidates proposed; appoints the judges and presidents of regional and local courts and changes their places of work; in cases provided for by law, submits that the Parliament release judges from their duties; appoints and releases, upon the assent of the Parliament, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Lithuania;
12) proposes candidates for the posts of three justices of the Constitutional Court and, upon the appointment of all the justices of the Constitutional Court, proposes the candidate from among them for the post of the President of the Constitutional Court to be appointed by the Parliament;
13) proposes candidates for the posts of the Auditor General and the Chairperson of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania for consideration by the Parliament; may submit that the Parliament express no confidence in them;
14) appoints and releases, upon the assent of the Parliament, the Commander of the Armed Forces and the Head of the Security Service;
15) confers the highest military ranks;
16) adopts, in the event of an armed attack threatening the sovereignty of the State or its territorial integrity, decisions concerning defense against the armed aggression, the imposition of martial law, as well as mobilization, and submits these decisions for approval at the next sitting of the Parliament;
17) declares a state of emergency according to the procedure and in cases established by law and presents this decision for approval at the next sitting of the Parliament;
18) makes annual reports at the Parliament on the situation in Lithuania and the domestic and foreign policies of the Republic of Lithuania;
19) convenes, in cases provided for in the Constitution, an extraordinary session of the Parliament;
20) calls regular elections to the Parliament and, in cases provided for in the second paragraph of Article 58 of the Constitution, calls early elections to the Parliament;
21) grants citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania according to the procedure established by law;
22) confers state awards;
23) grants pardons to convicted persons;
24) signs and promulgates laws adopted by the Parliament or refers them back to the Parliament according to the procedure established in Article 71 of the Constitution.
Article 85 [Decrees]The President of the Republic, implementing the powers vested in him, issues acts-decrees. To be valid, the decrees issued by the President of the Republic for the purposes specified in Items 3, 15, 17, and 21 of Article 84 of the Constitution must be signed by the Prime Minister or an appropriate Minister. Responsibility for such a decree lies with the Prime Minister or the Minister who signs it.
Article 86 [Immunity](1) The person of the President of the Republic is inviolable: while in office, he may be neither detained nor held criminally or administratively liable.
(2) The President of the Republic may be removed from office only for a gross violation of the Constitution or a breach of the oath, or when he is found to have committed a crime. The issue of the removal of the President of the Republic from office is decided by the Parliament according to the procedure for impeachment proceedings.
Article 87 [Early Election](1) After, in cases provided for in the second paragraph of Article 58 of the Constitution, the President of the Republic calls an early election to the Parliament, the newly elected Parliament may, by a 3/5 majority vote of all the Members of the Parliament and within 30 days of the day of the first sitting, call an early election of the President of the Republic.
(2) The President of the Republic wishing to participate in the election is immediately registered as a candidate.
(3) The President of the Republic re-elected in such an election is deemed elected for the second term of office provided that more than three years of his first term of office have expired prior to the election. If less than three years of the first term of office have expired, the President of the Republic is only elected for the remainder of the first term of office, which is not considered the second term of office.
(4) If an early election of the President of the Republic is called during his second term of office, the incumbent President of the Republic may only be elected for the remainder of the second term of office.
Article 88 [End of Powers]The powers of the President of the Republic cease:
1) upon the expiry of the period for which he is elected;
2) after an early election of the President of the Republic takes place;
3) upon his resignation from office;
4) upon his death;
5) when the Parliament removes him from office according to the procedure for impeachment proceedings;
6) when the Parliament, taking into consideration the conclusion of the Constitutional Court, by a 3/5 majority vote of all the Members of the Parliament, adopts a resolution stating that the state of health of the President of the Republic does not allow him to hold office.
Article 89 [Substitution](1) In the event that the President of the Republic dies, resigns, or is removed from office according to the procedure for impeachment proceedings, or the Parliament decides that the state of health of the President of the Republic does not allow him to hold office, the office of the President of the Republic is temporarily held by the Speaker of the Parliament. In such a case, the Speaker of the Parliament loses his powers at the Parliament, and his office is temporarily held, upon commissioning by the Parliament, by his Deputy. In the enumerated cases, the Parliament must, within 10 days, call an election of the President of the Republic, which must be held within two months. If the Parliament cannot convene and call the election of the President of the Republic, the election is called by the Government.
(2) The Speaker of the Parliament substitutes for the President of the Republic when the latter is temporarily abroad or falls ill and, for this reason, is temporarily unable to hold office.
(3) While temporarily substituting for the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Parliament may neither call an early election to the Parliament nor appoint or release Ministers without the consent of the Parliament. During the said period, the Parliament may not consider the issue of no confidence in the Speaker of the Parliament.
(4) With the exception of the cases specified in this Article, the powers of the President of the Republic may not be executed by any other persons or institutions.
Article 90 [Residence]The President of the Republic has a residence. The financing of the President of the Republic and of his residence is established by law.
Article 91[Composition]The Government of the Republic of Lithuania consists of the Prime Minister and Ministers.
Article 92 [Appointment of the Prime Minister](1) The Prime Minister is, upon the assent of the Parliament, appointed and released by the President of the Republic.
(2) Ministers are, upon submission by the Prime Minister, appointed and released by the President of the Republic.
(3) The Prime Minister, within 15 days of his appointment, forms and presents to the Parliament the Government, approved by the President of the Republic, and submits the program of the formed Government for consideration by the Parliament.
(4) The Government returns its powers to the President of the Republic after the election of the Parliament or after the election of the President of the Republic.
(5) A new Government receives the powers to act after the Parliament gives assent to its program by a majority vote of the Members of the Parliament participating in the sitting.
Article 93 [Oath]Before taking office, the Prime Minister and Ministers take an oath at the Parliament to be faithful to the Republic of Lithuania and to observe the Constitution and laws. The text of the oath is established by the Law on the Government.
Article 94 [Tasks]The Government of the Republic of Lithuania:
1) manages national affairs, protects the territorial inviolability of the Republic of Lithuania, and guarantees state security and public order;
2) executes laws, the resolutions of the Parliament on the implementation of laws, as well as the decrees of the President of the Republic;
3) co-ordinates the activities of ministries and other establishments of the Government;
4) prepares a draft State Budget and submits it to the Parliament; executes the State Budget and submits to the Parliament a report on the execution of the budget;
5) prepares draft laws and presents them to the Parliament for consideration;
6) establishes diplomatic ties and maintains relations with foreign states and international organizations;
7) discharges other duties prescribed to the Government by the Constitution and other laws.
Article 95 [Sittings](1) The Government of the Republic of Lithuania decides the affairs of state governance at its sittings by adopting resolutions by a majority vote of all the members of the Government. The Auditor General may also participate in the sittings of the Government.
(2) The resolutions of the Government are signed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of the respective area.
Article 96 [Responsibility](1) The Government of the Republic of Lithuania is jointly and severally responsible to the Parliament for the general activities of the Government.
(2) Ministers, in directing the areas of governance entrusted to them, are responsible to the Parliament and the President of the Republic, and directly subordinate to the Prime Minister.
Article 97 [Prime Minister](1) The Prime Minister represents the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and heads its activities.
(2) In the absence of the Prime Minister, or when he is unable to hold office, the President of the Republic, upon submission by the Prime Minister, assigns one of the Ministers to substitute for the Prime Minister during a period not exceeding 60 days; when there is no such submission, the President of the Republic assigns one of the Ministers to substitute for the Prime Minister.
Article 98 [Tasks](1) Ministers head their respective ministry, decide on issues belonging to the competence of their ministry, and also discharge other functions provided for by law.
(2) Only another member of the Government appointed by the Prime Minister may temporarily substitute for a Minister.
Article 99 [Republic]The Prime Minister and Ministers may not hold any other elective or appointive office, may not work in any business, commercial, or other private establishments or enterprises, nor may they receive any remuneration other than that established for their respective governmental duties and payment for creative activities.
Article 100 [Immunity]The Prime Minister and Ministers may not be held criminally liable or be detained, or have their liberty restricted otherwise, without the prior consent of the Parliament or, in the period between the sessions of the Parliament, without the prior consent of the President of the Republic.
Article 101 [Resignation](1) At the request of the Parliament, the Government or individual Ministers must give an account of their activities to the Parliament.
(2) When more than half of the Ministers are replaced, the Government must once again receive its powers from the Parliament. Otherwise, the Government must resign.
(3) The Government must also resign in the following cases:
1) when the Parliament twice in succession does not give its assent to the programme of the newly formed Government;
2) when the Parliament, by a majority vote of all the Members of the Parliament and by secret ballot, expresses no confidence in the Government or in the Prime Minister;
3) when the Prime Minister resigns or dies;
4) after the election to the Parliament, when a new Government is formed.
(4) A Minister must resign when more than half of all the Members of the Parliament, by secret ballot, express no confidence in him.
(5) The President of the Republic accepts the resignation of the Government or a Minister.
Article 102 [Powers](1) The Constitutional Court decides whether the laws and other acts of the Parliament are in conflict with the Constitution, and whether the acts of the President of the Republic and the Government are in conflict with the Constitution or laws.
(2) The status of the Constitutional Court and the procedure for the execution of its powers are established by the Law on the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 103 [Establishment](1) The Constitutional Court consists of 9 justices, each appointed for a single nine-year term of office. Every three years, one-third of the Constitutional Court is reconstituted. The Parliament appoints three candidates for justices of the Constitutional Court from the candidates submitted by the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the Parliament, and the President of the Supreme Court, and appoints them as justices.
(2) The Parliament appoints the President of the Constitutional Court from among its justices upon submission by the President of the Republic.
(3) The citizens of the Republic of Lithuania with an impeccable reputation, higher education in law, and not less than a 10-year length of service in the field of law or in a branch of science and education as a lawyer may be appointed as justices of the Constitutional Court.
Article 104 [Rights](1) While in office, the justices of the Constitutional Court are independent of any other state institution, person, or organization, and follow only the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.
(2) Before entering office, the justices of the Constitutional Court take an oath at the Parliament to be faithful to the Republic of Lithuania and the Constitution.
(3) The limitations established on work and political activities for the judges of courts also apply to the justices of the Constitutional Court.
(4) The justices of the Constitutional Court have the same rights concerning the inviolability of their person as the Members of the Parliament.
Article 105 [Tasks](1) The Constitutional Court considers and adopts decisions on whether the laws of the Republic of Lithuania or other acts adopted by the Parliament are in conflict with the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.
(2) The Constitutional Court also considers whether the following are in conflict with the Constitution and laws:
1) the acts of the President of the Republic;
2) the acts of the Government of the Republic.
(3) The Constitutional Court presents conclusions on:
1) whether there were the violations of election laws during the elections of the President of the Republic or the elections of the Members of the Parliament;
2) whether the state of health of the President of the Republic allows him to continue to hold office;
3) whether the international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania are in conflict with the Constitution;
4) whether the concrete actions of the Members of the Parliament and state officials against whom an impeachment case has been instituted are in conflict with the Constitution.
Article 106 [Right to Apply] (1) The Government, not less than 1/5 of all the Members of the Seimas, and courts shall have the right to apply to the Constitutional Court concerning the acts specified in the first paragraph of Article 105.
(2) Not less than 1/5 of all the Members of the Seimas and courts shall have the right to apply to the Constitutional Court concerning the conformity of the acts of the President of the Republic with the Constitution and laws.
(3) Not less than 1/5 of all the Members of the Seimas, courts, as well as the President of the Republic, shall have the right to apply to the Constitutional Court concerning the conformity of the acts of the Government with the Constitution and laws.
(4) Every person shall have the right to apply to the Constitutional Court concerning the acts specified in the first and second paragraphs of Article 105 if a decision adopted on the basis of these acts has violated the constitutional rights or freedoms of the person and the person has exhausted all legal remedies. The procedure for implementing this right shall be established by the Law on the Constitutional Court.
(5) An application by the President of the Republic to the Constitutional Court, or a resolution of the Seimas, asking for an investigation into the conformity of an act with the Constitution shall suspend the validity of the act.
(6) The conclusions of the Constitutional Court may be requested by the Seimas or, in cases concerning elections to the Seimas or international treaties, by the President of the Republic.
(7) The Constitutional Court shall have the right to refuse to accept a case for consideration or to prepare a conclusion if the application is based on non-legal reasoning.
Article 107 [Applicability of the Law] (1) A law (or part thereof) of the Republic of Lithuania or another act (or part thereof) of the Seimas, an act of the President of the Republic, or an act (or part thereof) of the Government may not be applied from the day of the official publication of the decision of the Constitutional Court that the act in question (or part thereof) is in conflict with the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.
(2) The decisions of the Constitutional Court on the issues assigned to its competence by the Constitution shall be final and not subject to appeal.
(3) In the case heard subsequent to an application by a person referred to in the fourth paragraph of Article 106 of the Constitution, the decision of the Constitutional Court that a law (or part thereof) of the Republic of Lithuania or another act (or part thereof) of the Seimas, an act of the President of the Republic, or an act (or part thereof) of the Government is in conflict with the Constitution shall constitute a basis for renewing, according to the procedure established by law, the proceedings regarding the implementation of the violated constitutional rights or freedoms of the person.
(4) On the basis of the conclusions of the Constitutional Court, the Parliament shall take a final decision on the issues set forth in the third paragraph of Article 105 of the Constitution.
Article 108 [End of Powers]The powers of a justice of the Constitutional Court cease:
1) upon the expiry of the term of powers;
2) upon his death;
3) upon his resignation;
4) when he is incapable of holding office due to the state of his health;
5) when the Parliament removes him from office in accordance with the procedure for impeachment proceedings.
Article 109 [Courts](1) In the Republic of Lithuania, justice is administered only by courts.
(2) When administering justice, judges and courts are independent.
(3) When considering cases, judges obey only the law.
(4) Courts adopt decisions in the name of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 110 [Conflict with the Constitution](1) Judges may not apply any laws that are in conflict with the Constitution.
(2) In cases when there are grounds to believe that a law or another legal act that should be applied in a concrete case is in conflict with the Constitution, the judge suspends the consideration of the case and applies to the Constitutional Court, requesting that it decide whether the law or another legal act in question is in compliance with the Constitution.
Article 111 [Types of Courts]
(1) The courts of the Republic of Lithuania are the Supreme Court of Lithuania, the Court of Appeal of Lithuania, regional courts, and local courts.
(2) For the consideration of administrative, labor, family, and cases of other categories, specialized courts may be established according to the law.
(3) No courts with extraordinary powers may be established in the Republic of Lithuania in time of peace.
(4) The formation and competence of courts are established by the Law on Courts of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 112 [Judges](1) In Lithuania, only the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania may be judges.
(2) The justices of the Supreme Court, as well as its President chosen from among them, are appointed and released by the Parliament upon submission by the President of the Republic.
(3) The judges of the Court of Appeal, as well as its President chosen from among them, are appointed by the President of the Republic upon the assent of the Parliament.
(4) The judges and presidents of local, regional, and specialized courts are appointed, and their places of work are changed, by the President of the Republic.
(5) A special institution of judges, as provided for by law, advises the President of the Republic on the appointment, promotion, and transfer of judges, or their release from duties.
(6) A person appointed as a judge takes, according to the procedure established by law, an oath to be faithful to the Republic of Lithuania and to administer justice only according to the law.
Article 113 [Incompatibilities](1) Judges may not hold any other elective or appointive office, or work in any business, commercial, or other private establishments or enterprises. Nor may they receive any remuneration other than the remuneration established for judges and payment for educational or creative activities.
(2) Judges may not participate in the activities of political parties or other political organizations.
Article 114 [Independence, Immunity](1) Interference by any institutions of state power and governance, Members of the Parliament or other officials, political parties, political or public organisations, or citizens with the activities of a judge or court is prohibited and leads to liability provided for by law.
(2) Judges may not be held criminally liable or be detained, or have their liberty restricted otherwise, without the consent of the Parliament or, in the period between the sessions of the Parliament, without the consent of the President of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 115 [Release of Duties]The judges of the courts of the Republic of Lithuania are released from their duties according to the procedure established by law in the following cases:
1) of their own will;
2) upon the expiry of the term of powers, or upon reaching the pensionable age established by law;
3) due to their state of health;
4) upon election to another office, or upon transfer, with their consent, to another place of work;
5) when their conduct discredits the name of judges;
6) upon the entry into effect of court judgments convicting them.
Article 116 [Removal from Office]For a gross violation of the Constitution or a breach of the oath, or when they are found to have committed a crime, the President and justices of the Supreme Court, as well as the President and judges of the Court of Appeal, may be removed from office by the Parliament according to the procedure for impeachment proceedings.
Article 117 [Judicial Proceedings](1) In all courts, the consideration of cases is public. A closed court hearing may be held in order to protect the secrecy of private or family life, or where the public consideration of the case might disclose a state, professional, or commercial secret.
(2) In the Republic of Lithuania, court proceedings are conducted in the state language.
(3) Persons who do not have sufficient knowledge of the Lithuanian language are guaranteed the right to participate in the investigation and court proceedings through a translator.
Article 118 [Prosecutors](1) A pre-trial investigation is organized and directed, and charges on behalf of the State in criminal cases are upheld, by prosecutors.
(2) In cases established by law, prosecutors defend the rights and legitimate interests of the person, society, and the State.
(3) When performing their functions, prosecutors are independent and obey only the law.
(4) The Prosecution Service of the Republic of Lithuania is the Office of the Prosecutor General and territorial prosecutor's offices.
(5) The Prosecutor General is appointed and released by the President of the Republic upon the assent of the Parliament.
(6) The procedure for the appointment and release of prosecutors, as well as their status, is established by law.
Article 119 [Self-Government](1) The right to self-government is guaranteed to the administrative territorial units of the State, which are provided for by law. This right is implemented through the respective municipal councils.
(2) The members of municipal councils are elected for a four-year term, as provided for by law, from among the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and other permanent residents of the respective administrative units by the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and other permanent residents of these administrative units on the basis of universal, equal, and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
(3) The procedure for the organization and activities of self-government institutions is established by law.
(4) For the direct implementation of the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, as well as the decisions of the Government and the municipal council, the municipal council forms executive bodies accountable to it.
Article 120 [Municipalities](1) The State supports municipalities.
(2) Municipalities act freely and independently within their competence defined by the Constitution and laws.
Article 121 [Budgets](1) Municipalities draft and approve their budgets.
(2) Municipal councils have the right, within the limits and according to the procedure provided for by law, to establish local levies; municipal councils may provide for tax and levy concessions at the expense of their own budgets.
Article 122 [Violation of Rights]Municipal councils have the right to apply to a court regarding the violation of their rights.
Article 123 [Governance](1) At higher-level administrative units, governance is organized by the Government according to the procedure established by law.
(2) The observance of the Constitution and laws and the execution of the decisions of the Government by municipalities are supervised by the representatives appointed by the Government.
(3) The powers of the representatives of the Government and the procedure for the execution of their powers are established by law.
(4) In cases and according to the procedure provided for by law, the Parliament may temporarily introduce direct rule in the territory of a municipality.
Article 124 [Appeal before Court]The acts or actions of municipal councils or of their executive bodies or officials that violate the rights of citizens or organizations may be appealed against before a court.
Article 125 [Bank of Lithuania](1) In the Republic of Lithuania, the Bank of Lithuania is the central bank, which belongs to the State of Lithuania by right of ownership.
(2) The procedure for the organization and activities of the Bank of Lithuania, its powers, and the legal status of the Chairperson of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, as well as the grounds for his release from duties, are established by law.
Article 126 [Board of the Bank](1) The Bank of Lithuania is directed by the Board of the Bank, consisting of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairpersons, and members.
(2) The Chairperson of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania is appointed for a five-year term by the Parliament upon submission by the President of the Republic.
Article 127 [Budgetary System](1) The budgetary system of the Republic of Lithuania consists of the independent State Budget of the Republic of Lithuania and independent municipal budgets.
(2) The revenue of the State Budget is raised from taxes, compulsory payments, levies, income from state-owned property, and other income.
(3) Taxes, other payments to the budgets, and levies are established by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 128 [Property](1) Decisions concerning state loans and other basic property liabilities of the State are adopted by the Parliament upon the proposal of the Government.
(2) The procedure for the possession, use, and disposal of state-owned property is established by law.
Article 129 [Budget Year]The budget year starts on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of December.
Article 130 [State Budget]The Government draws up a draft State Budget and present it to the Parliament not later than 75 days before the end of the budget year.
Article 131 [Draft Budget](1) The draft State Budget is considered by the Parliament and is approved by law before the start of the new budget year.
(2) During the consideration of the draft budget, the Parliament may increase expenditure provided that it specifies financial sources for the additional expenditure. The expenditure established by law may not be reduced as long as these laws are not altered.
Article 132 [Budget Expenditure](1) If the State Budget is not approved on time, in such cases, at the beginning of the budget year, the budget expenditure each month may not exceed 1/12 of the expenditure of the State Budget of the previous budget year.
(2) During the budget year, the Parliament may change the budget. It is changed according to the same procedure according to which it is drawn up, adopted, and approved. When necessary, the Parliament may approve an additional budget.
Article 133 [National Audit Office](1) The system and powers of the National Audit Office are established by law.
(2) The National Audit Office is headed by the Auditor General, who is appointed for a five-year term by the Parliament upon submission by the President of the Republic.
(3) Before taking office, the Auditor General takes an oath. The oath is established by law.
Article 134 [Tasks](1) The National Audit Office supervises the lawfulness of the possession and use of state-owned property and the execution of the State Budget.
(2) The Auditor General submits a conclusion to the Parliament concerning the report on the annual execution of the budget.
Article 135 [Foreign Policy](1) In implementing its foreign policy, the Republic of Lithuania follows the universally recognized principles and norms of international law, seeks to ensure national security and independence, the welfare of its citizens, and their basic rights and freedoms, and contributes to the creation of the international order based on law and justice.
(2) In the Republic of Lithuania, war propaganda is prohibited.
Article 136 [International Organizations]The Republic of Lithuania participates in international organizations provided that this is not in conflict with the interests and independence of the State.
Article 137 [Weapons of Mass Destruction, Foreign Military Bases]There may not be any weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on the territory of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 138 [International Treaties](1) The Parliament ratifies or denounces the following international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania:
1) on the alteration of the boundaries of the State of the Republic of Lithuania;
2) on political co-operation with foreign states; mutual assistance treaties; as well as treaties of a defensive nature related to the defense of the State;
3) on the renunciation of the use of force or threatening by force; as well as peace treaties;
4) on the presence and status of the armed forces of the Republic of Lithuania on the territories of foreign states;
5) on the participation of the Republic of Lithuania in universal international organizations and regional international organizations;
6) multilateral or long-term economic treaties.
(3) Laws, as well as international treaties, may also provide for other cases when the Parliament ratifies international treaties of the Republic of Lithuania.
(4) International treaties ratified by the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania are a constituent part of the legal system of the Republic of Lithuania.
Article 139 [National Defense](1) The defense of the State of Lithuania against a foreign armed attack is the right and duty of each citizen of the Republic of Lithuania.
(2) The citizens of the Republic of Lithuania must perform military or alternative national defense service according to the procedure established by law.
(3) The organization of national defense is established by law.
Article 140 [State Defense Council](1) The main issues of national defense are considered and coordinated by the State Defense Council, which consists of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of National Defense, and the Commander of the Armed Forces. The State Defense Council is headed by the President of the Republic. The procedure for its formation and activities, as well as its powers, is established by law.
(2) The President of the Republic is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the State.
(3) The Government, the Minister of National Defense, and the Commander of the Armed Forces are responsible to the Parliament for the administration and command of the armed forces of the State. The Minister of National Defense may not be a serviceman who is not yet retired to the reserve.
Article 141 [Incompatibilities]
Persons performing actual military service or alternative service, as well as the officers of the national defense system, the police, and the interior, non-commissioned officers, re-enlistees, and other paid officials of paramilitary and security services who are not retired to the reserve, may not be Members of the Parliament or members of municipal councils. They may not hold any elective or appointive office in the civil State Service, or participate in the activities of political parties or organizations.
Article 142 [Armed Attack](1) The Parliament imposes martial law, announces mobilization or demobilization, or adopts the decision to use the armed forces when the need arises to defend the Homeland or to fulfil the international obligations of the State of Lithuania.
(2) In the event of an armed attack threatening the sovereignty of the State or its territorial integrity, the President of the Republic immediately adopts a decision on defense against the armed aggression, imposes martial law throughout the State or in its separate part, or announces mobilization, and submits these decisions for approval at the next sitting of the Parliament, or immediately convenes an extraordinary session in the period between sessions of the Parliament. The Parliament approves or overrules the decision of the President of the Republic.
Article 143 [Election during Time of War]If a regular election must be held in time of war actions, either the Parliament or the President of the Republic adopt the decision to extend the term of powers of the Parliament, the President of the Republic, or municipal councils. In such a case, elections must be called not later than three months after the end of the war.
Article 144 [State of Emergency](1) When a threat arises to the constitutional system or social peace in the State, the Parliament may declare a state of emergency throughout the territory of the State or in any part thereof. The period of the state of emergency does not exceed six months.
(2) In cases of urgency, between sessions of the Parliament, the President of the Republic has the right to adopt a decision on the state of emergency and convenes an extraordinary session of the Parliament for the consideration of this issue. The Parliament approves or overrules the decision of the President of the Republic.
(3) The state of emergency is regulated by law.
Article 145 [Limitation of Rights]Upon the imposition of martial law or the declaration of a state of emergency, the rights and freedoms specified in Articles 22, 24, 25, 32, 35, and 36 of the Constitution may temporarily be limited.
Article 146 [Serviceman](1) The State takes care of and provide for servicemen who lose their health during military service, as well as for the families of servicemen who lose their lives or die during military service.
(2) The State also provides for citizens who lose their health while defending the State, as well as for the families of citizens who lose their lives or die in defense of the State.
Article 147 [Alteration of the Constitution](1) A motion to alter or supplement the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania may be submitted to the Parliament by a group of not less than 1/4 of all the Members of the Parliament or not less than by 300,000 voters.
(2) During a state of emergency or martial law, the Constitution may not be amended.
Article 148 [Amendments](1) The provision "The State of Lithuania is an independent democratic republic" of Article 1 of the Constitution may be altered only by referendum if not less than 3/4 of the citizens of Lithuania with the electoral right vote in favor thereof.
(2) The provisions of the First Chapter "The State of Lithuania" and the Fourteenth Chapter "The Alteration of the Constitution" may be altered only by referendum.
(3) Amendments to the Constitution concerning other chapters of the Constitution must be considered and voted at the Parliament twice. There must be a break of not less than three months between the votes. A draft law on the alteration of the Constitution is deemed adopted by the Parliament if, during each of the votes, not less than 2/3 of all the Members of the Parliament vote in favor thereof.
(4) A failed amendment to the Constitution may be submitted to the Parliament for reconsideration not earlier than after one year.
Article 149 [Coming into Force](1) The President of the Republic signs an adopted law on the alteration of the Constitution and officially promulgate it within five days.
(2) If the President of the Republic does not sign and promulgate such a law within the specified time, this law comes into force when the Speaker of the Parliament signs and promulgates it.
(3) A law on the alteration of the Constitution comes into force not earlier than one month after its adoption.
Article 150 [Constituent Part](1) The constituent part of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania is:
(2) The Constitutional Law "On the State of Lithuania" of 11 February 1991;
(3) The Constitutional Act "On the Non-Alignment of the Republic of Lithuania to Post-Soviet Eastern Unions" of 8 June 1992;
(4) The Law "On the Procedure for the Entry into Force of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania" of 25 October 1992;
(5) The Constitutional Act "On Membership of the Republic of Lithuania in the European Union" of 13 July 2004.
Article 151 [Coming into Force]This Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania comes into force on the day following the official publication of the results of the Referendum provided that more than half of the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania with the electoral right give their consent to this Constitution in the Referendum.
Article 152 [Procedure]The procedure for the entry into force of this Constitution and separate provisions thereof are regulated by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania "On the Procedure for the Entry into Force of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania", which, together with this Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, are adopted by referendum.
Article 153 [Alteration]After the adoption of this Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania by referendum, the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, by 25 October 1993, may alter, by a 3/5 majority vote of all the Members of the Parliament, the provisions of this Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania contained in Articles 47, 55, 56, Item 2 of the second paragraph of Article 58, in Articles 65, 68, 69, Items 11 and 12 of Article 84, the first paragraph of Article 87, in Articles 96, 103, 118, and in the fourth paragraph of Article 119.
Article 154 [Signature]The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and the Law of the Republic of Lithuania "On the Procedure for the Entry into Force of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania", adopted by referendum, are signed and, within 15 days, promulgated by the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania.
For methodology see:
Comparing Constitutions and International Constitutional Law.
©
1994 - 30.3.2022
/ Translation provided by M. Scheinin.
For corrections please contact
A. Tschentscher.