So what sort of political landscape is to be found in Lithuania?

The Social Democratic Party was the first to effect its restoration, on the 12th of August 1989 as if this role were its due: it was the first political party in Lithuania's history, established back in 1896.

The Democrats, who came back into existence on the 29th of December 1989, were second.

On the eve of the 1990 elections for the Supreme Council of the Republic, 7 additional parties appeared, the Christian Democratic, Independence and Green Parties being among the most important.

In December 1990, the National Communist Party reorganised itself into the Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania.

The Liberal Union of Lithuania was established in 1991.

Two additional parties of importance came into being in 1993: the Homeland Union (Lithuania's Conservatives) and the Centre Union of Lithuania.

These are basically the principal parties which play a decisive role in the shaping of the current political landscape (with the exception of the Independence Party, which has vanished). In addition to these principal parties, there also are some national parties and organisations and the Russian and Polish Unions.

Following the restoration of independence, the first free elections for the state legislature, the 141-member Seimas, were held on the 25th of October 1992. The Lithuanian Democratic Labour Party won the elections with an absolute majority of votes. The same day, the Constitution of the Republic was approved by means of a referendum, for the first time in Lithuanian history.

On the 15th of February 1993, Algirdas Brazauskas was elected President of the Republic of Lithuania in free general elections.

The Seimas of Lithuania is elected every four years and the president every five years.

On the 14th of May 1993, Lithuania was admitted to the Council of Europe.

On the 27th of January 1994, Lithuania signed the NATO "Partnership For Peace" programme.

On 12th June 1995, Lithuania signed the "European agreement establishing an association between the European communities the member state, on the one part, and the Republic of Lithuania, on the other part."

On 20th October 1996, new Seimas elections were held, with 28 parties participating. The Homeland Party (Lithuanian Conservatives) won half of the Seimas seats, and 14 parties were represented in the Seimas.

The general goals of Lithuania's foreign policy include: full membership in the European Union, NATO membership and maintaining good relations with all of its neighbours.