Lithuania Government 1997

Country name
conventional long form : Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form: Lithuania
local long form: Lietuvos Respublika
local short form: Lietuva
former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code LH

Government type independent, democratic republic

National capital Vilnius

Administrative divisions 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: AkmenesRajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas,Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, JurbarkoRajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas,Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, KretingosRajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas,Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*,Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, RaseiniuRajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas, Siauliai*, SiauliuRajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas, Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas,Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, UkmergesRajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas,Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas

Independence 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday Independence Day, 16 February (1918)

Constitution adopted 25 October 1992

Legal system based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (acting president since 25 November1992, president since 15 February 1993)
head of government : Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination ofthe premier
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election lastheld 14 February 1993 (next to be held spring 1997); premier appointed bythe president on the approval of the Parliament
election results: Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS elected president; percent of vote - NA

Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directlyelected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; membersserve four-year terms)
elections: last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October2000)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Conservative Party 70,LKDP 16, Center Union 13, LDDP 12, LSDP 12, DP 2, independents 4, others 8,vacant 4

Judicial branch Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament; Court of Appeal,judges appointed by the Parliament

Political parties and leaders Christian Democratic Party or LKDP [Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman]; DemocraticLabor Party of Lithuania or LDDP [Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS, chairman]; LithuanianNationalist Union or LTS [Rimantas SMETONA, chairman]; Lithuanian Social DemocraticParty or LSDP [Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman]; Farmers' Union [Jonas CIULEVICIUS,chairman]; Center Union [Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman]; Homeland Union/ConservativeParty [Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman]; Lithuanian Polish Union or LLS [Rsztardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie WURTH-POLFER, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders Lithuanian Future Forum

International organization participation BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS
chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860
FAX : [1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr.
embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600
mailing address: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
telephone : [370] 670-6083
FAX: [370] 670-6084

Flag description three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

NOTE: The information regarding Lithuania on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Lithuania Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Lithuania Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.