„The president’s decision to submit to the Seimas the nomination of judge Davulis as President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania was based on his qualifications and experience, which are essential for this position, as well as his commitment to ensuring the constitutional court’s international cooperation,“ said Andrius Kabišaitis, the president's chief advisor, while presenting Davulis candidacy from the Seimas podium.
The judge has 28 years of experience in legal education and research; he is a professor and has served as dean of the Faculty of Law at Vilnius University (VU). The judge also has legislative experience and has accumulated extensive professional experience in the field of human rights.
„Davulis has earned an indisputable reputation among lawyers in the professional and academic legal community. Taking into account Judge Davulis’s competence, character traits, ability to resolve emerging challenges through compromise, and his commitment to adequately representing the constitutional court on the international stage, the president of the republic invites the Seimas to vote in favour of appointing Davulis as president of the constitutional court,“ – emphasised Nausėda’s advisor.
Davulis himself, introducing himself to parliamentarians, stated that the proposal to become president of the constitutional court is „the highest professional recognition he could receive as a lawyer.“
The candidate emphasised that if appointed to this position, he would seek to increase the court’s accessibility, visibility, and engagement. He also highlighted the need to develop judicial dialogue at both the national and international levels.
„The president’s first task is to ensure the smooth operation of the institution, maintain a competent team, and foster a positive work environment. The most important task is to organise and moderate discussions among judges with different views, from different generations, and from different areas of law,“ said Davulis as he introduced himself to Seimas members from the parliamentary rostrum.
Davulis’s candidacy will now be considered by the Seimas Committee on Legal Affairs (TKK).
The decree proposing Davulis as head of the Constitutional Court to the Seimas was signed by the president at the end of March. This candidate for the constitutional court presidency has been serving as a judge on the court since 2023; Nausėda also nominated him.
Following the end of constitutional court President Gintaras Goda’s term, the court is currently being led on an interim basis by Judge Vytautas Mizaras.
The constitutional court’s composition has been renewed
ELTA notes that in March, three newly appointed constitutional court judges were sworn in at the Seimas: Artūras Driukas, nominated by Danguolė Bublienė, President of the Supreme Court of Lithuania (LAT); Haroldas Šinkūnas, nominated by President Nausėda; and Artūras Drigotas, presented by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas.
The constitutional court consists of nine judges, appointed for a term of 9 years and for a single term.
Every three years, the Seimas appoints three constitutional court judges. Candidates for the constitutional court are nominated by the president, the speaker of the Seimas, and the president of the supreme court.
The constitution stipulates those Lithuanian citizens of impeccable reputation, holding a higher education degree in law and having at least 10 years of experience in legal or academic teaching work in the field of law, may be appointed to these positions.