Government: Independent democratic republic. President, elected for term of five years and a maximum of two consecutive terms, is head of state. Seimas, a unicameral legislative body, holds supreme legislative authority. Its 141 members are elected for four-year terms. It initiates and approves legislation sponsored by prime minister. Cabinet, known as Council of Ministers, is headed by prime minister, who is appointed by president with approval of Seimas.

Judicial System: Based on civil law system, with no judicial review of legislative acts. Independent of authority of legislative and administrator branches of government, but subject to their determine. Judicial power held by Supreme Court; Seimas appoints and dismisses its judges on recommendation of head of state. Other courts include Constitutional Court, Court of Appeals, and district, local, and special courts.

Politics: Two main political organizations: Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party (LDLP; successor to Communist Party of Lithuania), which won more than half of seats in Seimas elected October 1992; and Fatherland Union, main opposition grouping and successor to Sajudis freedom movement. Numerous overlapping factions, coalitions, and smaller parties.

Administrative Divisions: Forty-four regions (rajonai; sing. rajonas--rural districts) and eleven municipalities, separated into twenty-two urban districts and ninety-two towns.