Prime Minister of Lithuania
Encyclopedia
The Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of the executive arm of Lithuania
's government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas
. The modern office of Prime Minister was established in 1990, although the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers" until 25 November 1992. The post was established during the turmoil surrounding the Soviet Union
's collapse, and was organized by Sąjūdis
, a multi-party coalition in favour of Lithuanian independence.
Historically, the title of Prime Minister was also used between 1918 and 1940. This was during the original Republic of Lithuania, which lasted from the collapse of the Russian Empire until the country's annexation by the Soviet Union.
Chairmen of the Council of Ministers
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
's government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas
Seimas
The Seimas is the unicameral Lithuanian parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term. About half of the members of this legislative body are elected in individual constituencies , and the other half are elected by nationwide vote according to proportional representation...
. The modern office of Prime Minister was established in 1990, although the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers" until 25 November 1992. The post was established during the turmoil surrounding the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
's collapse, and was organized by Sąjūdis
Sajudis
Sąjūdis initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was established on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis...
, a multi-party coalition in favour of Lithuanian independence.
Historically, the title of Prime Minister was also used between 1918 and 1940. This was during the original Republic of Lithuania, which lasted from the collapse of the Russian Empire until the country's annexation by the Soviet Union.
Republic of Lithuania (1918-1940)
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Political party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augustinas Voldemaras Augustinas Voldemaras Augustinas Voldemaras was a Lithuanian nationalist political figure. He served as the country's first Prime Minister in 1918, and again from 1926 to 1929.- Biography :... |
11 November 1918 | 26 December 1918 | Party of National Progress Party of National Progress Party of National Progress or TPP is a political party in Lithuania. It was established in 1916. The party was named by the prominent Lithuanian activist and writer Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas, who regarded progress as the main aspect of future politics. The party published its main goals in 1917,... |
| 2 | Mykolas Sleževičius Mykolas Sleževicius Mykolas Sleževičius was a Lithuanian lawyer, political figure, and journalist, who served as Prime Minister of Lithuania on two occasions.- Early life :... |
26 December 1918 | 12 March 1919 | Lithuanian Peasant Populist Union |
| 3 | Pranas Dovydaitis Pranas Dovydaitis Pranas Dovydaitis was a Lithuanian politician, Prime Minister of Lithuania, teacher, encyclopedist, editor, and professor.- References :... |
12 March 1919 | 12 April 1919 | Lithuanian Christian-Democratic Party |
| (2) | Mykolas Sleževičius Mykolas Sleževicius Mykolas Sleževičius was a Lithuanian lawyer, political figure, and journalist, who served as Prime Minister of Lithuania on two occasions.- Early life :... , 2nd term |
12 April 1919 | 7 October 1919 | Lithuanian Peasant Populist Union |
| 4 | Ernestas Galvanauskas Ernestas Galvanauskas Ernestas Galvanauskas was a Lithuanian engineer, politician and one the founders of the Lithuanian Peasants' Union... |
7 October 1919 | 19 June 1920 | Non-party |
| 5 | Kazys Grinius Kazys Grinius Kazys Grinius was the third President of Lithuania, and held that office from 7 June 1926 to 17 December 1926.When Grinius was born in Selema, near Marijampolė, Lithuania was part of the Russian empire. He studied medicine at the University of Moscow and became a physician... |
19 June 1920 | 2 February 1922 | Lithuanian Social-Democratic Party |
| 6 | Ernestas Galvanauskas Ernestas Galvanauskas Ernestas Galvanauskas was a Lithuanian engineer, politician and one the founders of the Lithuanian Peasants' Union... |
2 February 1922 | 23 February 1923 | Non-party |
| 23 February 1923 | 29 June 1923 | |||
| 29 June 1923 | 18 June 1924 | |||
| 7 | Antanas Tumėnas Antanas Tumenas Antanas Tumėnas was a Lithuanian politician, teacher, professor of law, judge, Prime Minister of Lithuania in the 10th cabinet, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania... |
18 June 1924 | 4 February 1925 | Lithuanian Christian-Democratic Party |
| 8 | Vytautas Petrulis Vytautas Petrulis Vytautas Petrulis was a Lithuanian politician, one of the main figures in the Lithuanian Christian Democrats party, and an accountant... |
4 February 1925 | 25 September 1925 | Lithuanian Christian-Democratic Party |
| 9 | Leonas Bistras Leonas Bistras Leonas Bistras was a Lithuanian politician, journalist, translator, philosopher and professor. He had studied medicine also.... |
25 September 1925 | 15 June 1926 | Lithuanian Christian-Democratic Party |
| (2) | Mykolas Sleževičius Mykolas Sleževicius Mykolas Sleževičius was a Lithuanian lawyer, political figure, and journalist, who served as Prime Minister of Lithuania on two occasions.- Early life :... , 3rd term |
15 June 1926 | 17 December 1926 | Lithuanian Peasant Populist Union |
| 10 | Augustinas Voldemaras Augustinas Voldemaras Augustinas Voldemaras was a Lithuanian nationalist political figure. He served as the country's first Prime Minister in 1918, and again from 1926 to 1929.- Biography :... |
17 December 1926 | 23 September 1929 | Lithuanian Nationalist Union |
| 11 | Juozas Tūbelis Juozas Tubelis Juozas Tūbelis was a Lithuanian politician, Prime Minister and member and chairman of the Lithuanian Nationalists Union.... |
23 September 1929 | 12 June 1934 | Lithuanian Nationalist Union |
| 12 June 1934 | 6 September 1935 | |||
| 6 September 1935 | 24 March 1938 | |||
| 12 | Vladas Mironas Vladas Mironas Vladas Mironas was a Lithuanian priest, politician and later Prime Minister of Lithuania.... |
24 March 1938 | 5 December 1939 | Lithuanian Nationalist Union |
| 5 December 1939 | 28 March 1939 | |||
| 13 | Jonas Černius Jonas Cernius Jonas Černius was a Lithuanian general and Prime Minister. When Lithuania declared independence in 1918, he joined the army as a volunteer and participated in the Freedom Wars... |
28 March 1939 | 21 November 1939 | Lithuanian Nationalist Union |
| 14 | Antanas Merkys Antanas Merkys Antanas Merkys |Bajorai]], near Skapiškis, Vilna Governorate of the Russian Empire; died on March 5, 1955 in Vladimir Oblast, Soviet Union) was the last Prime Minister of independent Lithuania, serving from November 1939 to June 1940. When Soviet Union presented an ultimatum to Lithuania, President... |
21 November 1939 | 17 June 1940 | Lithuanian Nationalist Union |
| 15 | Justas Paleckis Justas Paleckis Justas Paleckis was a Lithuanian journalist and politician. He was acting president of Lithuania after the Soviet invasion while Lithuania was still ostensibly independent, in office from June 17 – August 3, 1940.... |
17 June 1940 | 24 June 1940 | |
| - | Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius Vincas Kreve-Mickevicius Vincas Mickevičius , better known by his pen name Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius, was a Lithuanian writer, poet, novelist, playwright and philologist... (acting) |
24 June 1940 | 25 August 1940 |
Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (1940–1990)
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars- Mečislovas GedvilasMečislovas GedvilasMečislovas or Mečys Gedvilas was a Lithuanian politician who collaborated with occupying Soviet forces. He served as the first Prime Minister of the Lithuanian SSR from 1940 to 1956....
(25 August 1940 – 2 April 1946) (in exile in the Russian SFSR 1941–1944)
Chairmen of the Council of Ministers
- Mečislovas GedvilasMečislovas GedvilasMečislovas or Mečys Gedvilas was a Lithuanian politician who collaborated with occupying Soviet forces. He served as the first Prime Minister of the Lithuanian SSR from 1940 to 1956....
(2 April 1946 – 16 January 1956) - Motiejus ŠumauskasMotiejus ŠumauskasMotiejus or Matas Šumauskas was a Lithuanian communist activist and politician. He served as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1956 to 1963 and Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR from 1967 to 1975.Šumauskas received only...
(16 January 1956 – 14 April 1967) - Juozas ManiušisJuozas ManiušisJuozas Maniušis was a communist politician in the Lithuanian SSR specializing in areas of industry, construction, and engineering. Between 1967 and 1981 he was Chairman of the Council of Ministers...
(14 April 1967 – 16 January 1981) - Ringaudas Songaila (16 January 1981 – 18 November 1985)
- Vytautas SakalauskasVytautas SakalauskasVytautas Sakalauskas was a Soviet Lithuanian politician who was the last Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic before Lithuanian independence in 1990....
(18 November 1985 – 17 March 1990)
Republic of Lithuania (1990-Present)
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Political party |
| - | Kazimira Prunskienė Kazimira Prunskiene Kazimira Danutė Prunskienė was the first Prime Minister of Lithuania after the declaration of independence of March 11, 1990 and Minister of Agriculture in the government of Gediminas Kirkilas.... (acting) |
11 March 1990 | 17 March 1990 | Lithuanian Communist Party endorsed by Sąjūdis Sajudis Sąjūdis initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was established on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis... |
| 1 | Kazimira Prunskienė Kazimira Prunskiene Kazimira Danutė Prunskienė was the first Prime Minister of Lithuania after the declaration of independence of March 11, 1990 and Minister of Agriculture in the government of Gediminas Kirkilas.... |
17 March 1990 | 10 January 1991 | Lithuanian Communist Party endorsed by Sąjūdis Sajudis Sąjūdis initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was established on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis... |
| 2 | Albertas Šimėnas Albertas Šimenas Albertas Šimėnas was Prime Minister of Lithuania for 3 days, from January 10 to January 13, 1991. He disappeared during the January Events and was replaced by Gediminas Vagnorius.... |
10 January 1991 | 13 January 1991 | Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party endorsed by Sąjūdis Sajudis Sąjūdis initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was established on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis... |
| 3 | Gediminas Vagnorius Gediminas Vagnorius Gediminas Vagnorius is a Lithuanian politician and signatory of the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania. He served as the Prime Minister of Lithuania between 1991 and 1992, and again from 1996 until 1999.... , 1st time |
13 January 1991 | 21 July 1992 | Independent, endorsed by Sąjūdis Sajudis Sąjūdis initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was established on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis... |
| 4 | Aleksandras Abišala Aleksandras Abišala Aleksandras Abišala is a former Lithuanian politician and Prime Minister of Lithuania.He currently runs his own business consulting company called "A. Abišala and Partners".- External links :... |
21 July 1992 | 2 December 1992 | Independent, endorsed by Sąjūdis Sajudis Sąjūdis initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was established on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis... |
| 5 | Bronislovas Lubys Bronislovas Lubys Bronislovas Lubys was a Lithuanian entrepreneur, former Prime Minister of Lithuania, signatory of the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, and businessman.... |
2 December 1992 | 10 March 1993 | Independent, endorsed by Democratic Labour Party Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania was a social democratic political party in Lithuania, that emerged out of the Lithuanian section of the CPSU in December 1989 LDDP was led by Algirdas Brazauskas, the first president of independent Lithuania. Because Brazauskas was elected as the first... |
| 6 | Adolfas Šleževičius Adolfas Šleževicius Adolfas Šleževičius is a former Prime Minister of Lithuania.Previously a manager in a state dairy company, Šleževičius was appointed Prime Minister following the election of Algirdas Brazauskas as President in February 1993... |
10 March 1993 | 15 February 1996 | Democratic Labour Party Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania was a social democratic political party in Lithuania, that emerged out of the Lithuanian section of the CPSU in December 1989 LDDP was led by Algirdas Brazauskas, the first president of independent Lithuania. Because Brazauskas was elected as the first... |
| 7 | Laurynas Mindaugas Stankevičius Laurynas Mindaugas Stankevicius Laurynas Mindaugas Stankevičius was the Prime Minister of the 7th Cabinet of Lithuania, representing the Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania.-References:* . Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.... |
15 February 1996 | 27 November 1996 | Democratic Labour Party Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania was a social democratic political party in Lithuania, that emerged out of the Lithuanian section of the CPSU in December 1989 LDDP was led by Algirdas Brazauskas, the first president of independent Lithuania. Because Brazauskas was elected as the first... |
| (2) | Gediminas Vagnorius Gediminas Vagnorius Gediminas Vagnorius is a Lithuanian politician and signatory of the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania. He served as the Prime Minister of Lithuania between 1991 and 1992, and again from 1996 until 1999.... , 2nd time |
27 November 1996 | 4 May 1999 | Homeland Union / Conservatives |
| - | Irena Degutienė Irena Degutiene Irena Degutienė is a Lithuanian politician and member of the conservative Homeland Union, currently Speaker of Seimas. She was twice the acting Prime Minister of Lithuania, first from 4 May 1999 to 18 May 1999 and then from 27 October 1999 to 3 November 1999... (acting) |
4 May 1999 | 18 May 1999 | Homeland Union / Conservatives |
| 8 | Rolandas Paksas Rolandas Paksas Rolandas Paksas is a Lithuanian politician who was President of Lithuania from 2003 to 2004. He was previously Prime Minister of Lithuania in 1999 and again from 2000 to 2001, and he also served as Mayor of Vilnius from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2000 to 2001... , 1st time |
18 May 1999 | 27 October 1999 | Homeland Union / Conservatives |
| - | Irena Degutienė Irena Degutiene Irena Degutienė is a Lithuanian politician and member of the conservative Homeland Union, currently Speaker of Seimas. She was twice the acting Prime Minister of Lithuania, first from 4 May 1999 to 18 May 1999 and then from 27 October 1999 to 3 November 1999... (acting) |
27 October 1999 | 3 November 1999 | Homeland Union / Conservatives |
| 9 | Andrius Kubilius Andrius Kubilius Andrius Kubilius is a Lithuanian politician who has been Prime Minister of Lithuania since 2008. He previously served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000. He is the leader of the conservative political party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.- Biography :Kubilius was born at Vilnius... , 1st time |
3 November 1999 | 26 October 2000 | Homeland Union / Conservatives |
| (8) | Rolandas Paksas Rolandas Paksas Rolandas Paksas is a Lithuanian politician who was President of Lithuania from 2003 to 2004. He was previously Prime Minister of Lithuania in 1999 and again from 2000 to 2001, and he also served as Mayor of Vilnius from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2000 to 2001... , 2nd time |
26 October 2000 | 20 June 2001 | Liberal Union Liberal Union of Lithuania The Liberal Union of Lithuania was a political party in Lithuania. It had 33 of 141 members of the Seimas.In 2003 it merged with two smaller parties to form the Liberal and Centre Union.-See also:*Liberalism*Contributions to liberal theory... |
| - | Eugenijus Gentvilas Eugenijus Gentvilas Eugenijus Gentvilas is a Lithuanian politician, signatory of the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania and Member of the European Parliament for the Liberal and Centre Union , sitting with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. He was mayor of Klaipėda from 1997 to 2001... (acting) |
20 June 2001 | 3 July 2001 | Liberal Union Liberal Union of Lithuania The Liberal Union of Lithuania was a political party in Lithuania. It had 33 of 141 members of the Seimas.In 2003 it merged with two smaller parties to form the Liberal and Centre Union.-See also:*Liberalism*Contributions to liberal theory... |
| 10 | Algirdas Brazauskas Algirdas Brazauskas Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas was the first President of a newly independent post-Soviet Union Lithuania from 1993 to 1998 and Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006.... |
3 July 2001 | 1 June 2006 | Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party of Lithuania The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania is a centre-left and social democratic political party in Lithuania. It is the oldest party in Lithuania, founded in 1896. The party's president since 2009 is Algirdas Butkevičius. The party led a minority government in the unicameral Seimas, Lithuania's... |
| - | Zigmantas Balčytis Zigmantas Balcytis Zigmantas Balčytis is a former acting Prime Minister of Lithuania. He took office on 1 June 2006 following the resignation of Algirdas Brazauskas, but failed to be approved by the Parliament to become Prime Minister. He was succeeded on 4 July by Gediminas Kirkilas... (acting) |
1 June 2006 | 4 July 2006 | Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party of Lithuania The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania is a centre-left and social democratic political party in Lithuania. It is the oldest party in Lithuania, founded in 1896. The party's president since 2009 is Algirdas Butkevičius. The party led a minority government in the unicameral Seimas, Lithuania's... |
| 11 | Gediminas Kirkilas Gediminas Kirkilas Gediminas Kirkilas is a former Prime Minister of Lithuania . He was appointed on 4 July 2006 after Zigmantas Balčytis, the provisional Prime Minister, failed to gather the required support from the Seimas. Kirkilas managed to get the necessary support from the Seimas on 4 July 2006... |
4 July 2006 | 28 November 2008 | Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party of Lithuania The Social Democratic Party of Lithuania is a centre-left and social democratic political party in Lithuania. It is the oldest party in Lithuania, founded in 1896. The party's president since 2009 is Algirdas Butkevičius. The party led a minority government in the unicameral Seimas, Lithuania's... |
| (9) | Andrius Kubilius Andrius Kubilius Andrius Kubilius is a Lithuanian politician who has been Prime Minister of Lithuania since 2008. He previously served as Prime Minister from 1999 to 2000. He is the leader of the conservative political party Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats.- Biography :Kubilius was born at Vilnius... , 2nd time |
28 November 2008 | Present | Homeland Union / Conservatives |