Presidential Crisis in Lithuania: The Two Majorities and the Advent of Machiavellianism
Presidential Crisis in Lithuania: The Two Majorities and the Advent of Machiavellianism

Summary/Abstract: The political crisis in Lithuania, which began in the autumn of 2003 and lasted almost 6 months, ended with the impeachment of President Rolandas Paksas, who failed to hold office for even a quarter of his term. The end of the crisis brought abundant praise from politicians and experts for the country's democracy, for it seemingly passed the test of maturity. This praise, bearing in mind the observation and proven efficiency of democratic procedures, was well-earned. The Presidential crisis convincingly showed that procedural democracy is functioning in Lithuania and is not secondary to Western practices. However, the existence and observation of democratic procedures better illustrates the country's legal than political maturity and stability. The supremacy of law and legitimacy of political actions is in itself not a guarantee of the supremacy of democratic values and justice in the political life of the society.

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