EVOLUTION OF PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE BALTIC STATES EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF PARLIAMENTS IN ESTONIA, LATVIA AND LITHUANIA

Abstract This article is a work of comparative parliamentary study which focuses on legislatures of the Baltic States. It looks at parliamentary institutions of Estonia, Riigikogu; Latvia, Saeima and Lithuania, Seimas using historical approach of analysis and comparative method. The paper analyses historical evolution and development of parliaments of Baltic nations dividing it to two parts. The first part of this paper considers the period from 1917 to 1940 and gives precise information about emergence and activities of Riigikogu, Saeima and Seimas. The last part of the paper will look at the parliamentary experience of respective countries after 1990. In addition to comparative analysis of parliaments and parliamentary experience in the Baltic States, the paper gives an analysis of historical processes and political developments of these countries. This paper is an original comparative case study and it aims to expose workings of legislative and parliamentary mechanisms in the Baltic States. Other aim of this paper is to show regional cooperation and collaboration through parliamentary institutions.