Discussion on the Occasion of the Upcoming Constitution Day

On the occasion of the upcoming Constitution Day, a discussion-conference “Thirty-one Years of the Constitution and the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Constitutional Court: what has been achieved and what is sustainable, and what is not so much” was held, which was organised by Prof. Dr. (HP) Egidijus Šileikis on October 19th. Participants of the discussion – the Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haroldas Šinkūnas and the Associate Professor for Partnerships, Gintautas Bartkus.

At the beginning of the event, Prof. E. Šileikis gave a presentation on the achievements and stability of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, which is apparent in various aspects – in the work of the 8 Seimas in 30 years and in the approach to the Constitutional Court. “The sustainability of the Constitutional Court in the political and legal system has been achieved. There is no longer any debate that the Constitutional Court should be merged with the Supreme Court,” the professor said. However, E. Šileikis notes that in recent times there has been a growing debate about whose duty it is to represent the state in the European Union institutions.

As the discussion continued, H. Šinkūnas shared his observation that impeachment clouds permanence and becomes a political tool, and identified other shortcomings in the Constitution: immovable property, the conferral and withdrawal of nationality.

G. Bartkus stressed the growing role of the supreme law of the land: “We are beginning to see the Constitution as something that influences all other areas of life”. The separation of powers and the system of checks and balances are key, he said.

At the end of the debate, the audience joined in and asked questions.