Mr Bukauskas suggested that, based on the information of Statistics Lithuania, the population in our country was over 3.7 million in 1992, which corresponded to 141 MPs. However, large numbers of people had emigrated from Lithuania since then.
“Based on population indicators presented by the Statistics Lithuania on 1 January 2016, the population in Lithuania has dwindled to just 2.8 million since 1992 representing a 22 % decrease. If we correspondingly reduce the number of Members of the Seimas representing the current population, it would result in 109.84 MPs. As an odd number of MPs is required, my proposal is to round up this figure to 111 Members of the Seimas,” the MP said.
Under this proposal, the amendments would come into effect on 1 January 2018 and would thus be applicable to the parliamentary elections in 2020 and beyond.
The draft amendment was supported by 66 MPs; 4 MPs voted against and 15 abstained. The Committee on Legal Affairs was appointed as the lead committee for its consideration. The consideration at the plenary is scheduled to be held on 18 October 2016.
