The aim of this project was to examine the development of governing systems in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. First, it sought to review the old systems of Soviet Republics consisting of “popularly elected” assemblies. Secondly, it aimed to describe and analyze the new constitutional framework, where representation and elections were based on national citizenship. To what degree the declarations of independence would lead to independent nation-states was a question that was examined. Another issue was the scope and character of government activity. The third was how authorities and tasks were allocated among newly established organs and institutions.

The main subject of this project was parliament’s role and function in the respective governing systems. The direct goal of the project was to acquire knowledge of and develop insight into the political reality in the Baltic States, so that it could be understood and compared with known conditions in the Nordic countries and the rest of Europe. The project was part of a larger collaboration between the University of Oslo and universities in Tartu, Estonia, Riga, Latvia and Vilnius, Lithuania.