Paksas was impeached and removed from president’s office in 2004. The Constitutional Court later ruled that a person who violated constitutional oath could not occupy an office which requires giving the oath. Paksas appealed the ruling at the European Court of Human Rights which said that a life-long ban from public office violated Paksas’ rights.
Ninety-six lawmakers voted in favour of the proposed amendment, one was against and 13 abstained. The bill needed at least 94 votes in favour to be further deliberated. In Lithuania, parliament must vote twice on proposed constitutional amendments with a break of at least three months.
The proposed constitutional amendment states that “persons who have committed a gross violation of the Constitution or breach of oath and who have been removed from office and lost their mandate by way of parliamentary impeachment cannot become members of the Seimas for 10 years after the removal or loss of mandate”.
Under the Constitution of Lithuania, a person who can be elected a member of the Seimas can also run for president.
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