Constitution

Lithuania 1992 Constitution (reviewed 2019)

Table of Contents

CHAPTER X. LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNANCE

Article 119

The right to self-government shall be guaranteed to administrative units of the territory of the State, which are provided for by law. It shall be implemented through corresponding municipal councils.

The members of municipal councils shall be elected for a four-year term, as provided for by law, from among citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and other permanent residents of the administrative unit by the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and other permanent residents of the administrative unit, on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

The procedure for the organization and activities of self-government institutions shall be established by law.

For the direct implementation of the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, the decisions of the Government and the municipal council, the municipal council shall form executive bodies accountable to it.

Article 120

The State shall support municipalities.

Municipalities shall act freely and independently within their competence defined by the Constitution and laws.

Article 121

Municipalities shall draft and approve their budget.

Municipal councils shall 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 budget.

Article 122

Municipal councils shall have the right to apply to court regarding the violation of their rights.

Article 123

At higher level administrative units, the governance shall be organised by the Government according to the procedure established by law.

The observance of the Constitution and the laws as well as the execution of decisions of the Government by municipalities shall be supervised by the representatives appointed by the Government.

The powers of the Government representative and the procedure of their execution shall be established by law.

In cases and according to the procedure provided for by law, the Seimas may temporarily introduce direct rule in the territory of a municipality.

Article 124

Acts or actions of municipal councils as well as of their executive bodies and officials, which violate the rights of citizens and organization, may be appealed in court.