Press release, 15 May 2014
On 15 May, the Seimas marked the Day of the Constituent Assembly at its plenary sitting. Vydas Gedvilas, the presiding First Deputy Speaker, noted that this day signified a symbolic and, at the same time, major turning point in the history of parliamentarianism and development of its traditions in Lithuania.
“It was 15 May 1920, 94 years ago, that saw the setting up of the Constituent Assembly, the first representative body of the Nation, elected in the first democratic general and direct elections in Lithuania. The same day, 15 May 1920, witnessed the unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence of Lithuania by members of the Constituent Assembly,” said Vydas Gedvilas at the sitting.
The First Deputy Speaker of the Seimas stressed that the tasks carried out by the parliamentarians had undoubtedly pointed to the worthiness of the Constituent Assembly. “The Constituent Assembly passed, from 1920 to 1922, 268 laws to set the basis for an emergent state of Lithuania. Then, there came international recognition and membership in the United Nations. Finally, the Constituent Assembly adopted, 1 August 1922, the first permanent Constitution of the State of Lithuania,” said Mr Gedvilas.
Vydas Gedvilas stated that the Constituent Assembly left a significant trace in the history of Lithuania of the 20th century and set a good example for today’s parliamentarians how to build a contemporary state of Lithuania.
Rimas Rudaitis
Public Relations Unit, Communications Department, Office of the Seimas, tel.+370 5 239 6132,
e-mail: rimas.rudaitis@lrs.lt
