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Prime Minister of Lithuania facts for kids

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Prime Minister of Lithuania
Coat of arms of Lithuania.svg
Gintautas Paluckas by Augustas Didzgalvis (cropped)(correct angle version).jpg
Incumbent
Gintautas Paluckas
since 12 December 2024
Government of Lithuania
Style Mister/Madam Prime Minister (informal)
His/Her Excellency (diplomatic)
Appointer President
Term length 4 years
No term limit
Formation 11 November 1918; 106 years ago (1918-11-11)
First holder Augustinas Voldemaras
Abolished 1940–1991
Salary €6,000 per month

The Prime Minister of Lithuania (in Lithuanian: Lietuvos ministras pirmininkas) is the main leader of the Government of Lithuania. Think of them as the head of the team that runs the country day-to-day. The President of Lithuania chooses the Prime Minister. Then, the Lithuanian parliament, called the Seimas, has to agree with the President's choice.

The job of Prime Minister as we know it today started in 1990. This was when Lithuania proudly declared its independence again. Before that, for a short time until 1992, the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers."

Lithuania also had Prime Ministers a long time ago, from 1918 to 1940. This was during the first time Lithuania was an independent country, after the Russian Empire fell apart.

What Does a Prime Minister Do?

The Prime Minister is like the captain of a big team. This team is the government. Their main job is to make sure the country is run well. They lead meetings, make important decisions, and work with other countries.

The Prime Minister also helps create new laws. They work closely with the President and the parliament. Their goal is to improve life for everyone in Lithuania.

A Look at Lithuania's Leaders Through Time

Lithuania has had many leaders over the years. Some were called Prime Ministers, and others had different titles. Each leader played a part in shaping the country.

Early Prime Ministers (1918–1940)

After gaining independence in 1918, Lithuania had its first Prime Ministers. These leaders helped build the new country. They worked to set up schools, hospitals, and other important services. This period was a time of growth and change for Lithuania.

However, in 1940, the Soviet Union took over Lithuania. This changed how the country was run. The leaders during this time were not chosen by the Lithuanian people.

Leaders During Soviet Rule (1940–1990)

When Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union, the country's leaders were called "Chairmen of the Council of Ministers." They were not Prime Ministers in the same way. This was because Lithuania was not truly independent. The Soviet Union controlled many decisions.

Modern Lithuania does not see these leaders as legitimate Prime Ministers. This is because they were part of a system that took away Lithuania's freedom.

Prime Ministers of Modern Lithuania (1990–Present)

Lithuania became independent again in 1990. Since then, the role of Prime Minister has been very important. These leaders have worked to build a democratic country. They have helped Lithuania join international groups and grow its economy.

The Prime Minister is chosen for a term of four years. There is no limit to how many times someone can be Prime Minister. The current Prime Minister is Gintautas Paluckas, who started his term in December 2024.

Images for kids

  • Augustinas Voldemaras

    Augustinas Voldemaras was Lithuania's first Prime Minister in 1918.

  • Sleževičius Mykolas (3x4 cropped)

    Mykolas Sleževičius served as Prime Minister multiple times.

  • Pranas Dovydaitis (3x4 cropped)

    Pranas Dovydaitis was Prime Minister in 1919.

  • Ernestas-Galvanauskas

    Ernestas Galvanauskas also served as Prime Minister more than once.

  • Kazys Grinius (3x4 cropped)

    Kazys Grinius was Prime Minister from 1920 to 1922.

  • No image

    Antanas Tumėnas served as Prime Minister in 1924-1925.

  • Petrulis Vyautas (3x4 cropped)

    Vytautas Petrulis was Prime Minister in 1925.

  • Leonas Bistras

    Leonas Bistras served as Prime Minister from 1925 to 1926.

  • Tūbelis Juozas (3x4 cropped)

    Juozas Tūbelis had a long term as Prime Minister from 1929 to 1938.

  • Vladas Mironas

    Vladas Mironas was Prime Minister from 1938 to 1939.

  • Jonas Černius (3x4 cropped)

    Jonas Černius served as Prime Minister in 1939.

  • Antanas Merkys (3x4 cropped)

    Antanas Merkys was the last Prime Minister before the Soviet occupation in 1940.

  • Justas Paleckis 1961c (3x4 cropped)

    Justas Paleckis was appointed by Soviet authorities in 1940.

  • Krėvė MickevičiusV (3x4 cropped)

    Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius served briefly in 1940.

  • No image

    Mečislovas Gedvilas was Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars during Soviet rule.

  • Juozas Ambrazevičius-Brazaitis

    Juozas Ambrazevičius led a provisional government in 1941.

  • Kazimiera Prunskienė

    Kazimira Prunskienė was the first Prime Minister after Lithuania regained independence in 1990.

  • Šimenas

    Albertas Šimėnas served briefly as Prime Minister in 1991.

  • Gediminas Vagnorius (1996)

    Gediminas Vagnorius served two terms as Prime Minister in the 1990s.

  • Aleksandras Abišala 2008.03.31

    Aleksandras Abišala was Prime Minister in 1992.

  • BronislLubys (cropped)

    Bronislovas Lubys served as Prime Minister from 1992 to 1993.

  • Slezevicius

    Adolfas Šleževičius was Prime Minister from 1993 to 1996.

  • Noimage

    Laurynas Stankevičius served as Prime Minister in 1996.

  • PAKSAS Rolandas

    Rolandas Paksas served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister.

  • Viļņā tiekas Baltijas valstu parlamentu priekšsēdētājas (8168896707) (cropped)

    Irena Degutienė served as acting Prime Minister in 1999.

  • AndriusKubilius

    Andrius Kubilius also served two non-consecutive terms as Prime Minister.

  • Eugenijus Gentvilas by Augustas Didzgalvis (3x4 cropped)

    Eugenijus Gentvilas was acting Prime Minister in 2001.

  • Algirdas Brazauskas 1998

    Algirdas Brazauskas served as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006.

  • Min-Balčytis

    Zigmantas Balčytis was acting Prime Minister in 2006.

  • Gediminas Kirkilas 2007

    Gediminas Kirkilas served as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2008.

  • Algirdas Butkevičius 2015

    Algirdas Butkevičius was Prime Minister from 2012 to 2016.

  • Saulius Skvernelis

    Saulius Skvernelis served as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2020.

  • Ingrida Simonyte 2019 crop 2 (3x4 cropped)

    Ingrida Šimonytė was Prime Minister from 2020 to 2024.

See also

Timeline

Gintautas Paluckas Ingrida Šimonytė Saulius Skvernelis Algirdas Butkevičius Gediminas Kirkilas Algirdas Brazauskas Andrius Kubilius Rolandas Paksas Laurynas Stankevičius Adolfas Šleževičius Bronislovas Lubys Aleksandras Abišala Gediminas Vagnorius Albertas Šimėnas Kazimira Prunskienė Vytautas Sakalauskas Ringaudas Songaila Juozas Maniušis Motiejus Šumauskas Juozas Ambrazevičius Mečislovas Gedvilas Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius Justas Paleckis Antanas Merkys Jonas Černius Vladas Mironas Juozas Tūbelis Leonas Bistras Vytautas Petrulis Antanas Tumėnas Kazys Grinius Ernestas Galvanauskas Pranas Dovydaitis Mykolas Sleževičius Augustinas Voldemaras
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