The Lithuanian president has somewhat more executive authority than their counterparts in neighboring
Estonia and
Latvia; the Lithuanian president's function is very similar to that of the presidents of
France and
Romania. Similarly to them, but unlike presidents in a fully presidential system such as
the United States, the Lithuanian president generally has the most authority in foreign affairs. In addition to the customary diplomatic powers of Heads of State, namely receiving the
letters of credence of foreign ambassadors and signing
treaties, the president determines Lithuania's basic foreign policy guidelines. The president is also the
commander-in-chief of the
Lithuanian Armed Forces, and accordingly heads the State Defense Council and has the right to appoint the
Chief of Defence (subject to Seimas consent). The president also has a significant role in domestic policy, possessing the right to submit bills to the
Seimas and to
veto laws passed by it, appointing the
prime minister and approving the government formed by them, and also having the right to
dissolve the Seimas and call
snap elections following a successful
motion of no confidence or if the Seimas refuses to approve the government's budget within sixty days. However, the next elected Seimas may retaliate by calling for an earlier presidential election. Finally, the president ensures an effective judiciary, being responsible for nominating one third of the judges of the
Constitutional Court, and the entirety of the
Supreme Court, for appointment by the Seimas; the president also has the right to directly appoint all other judges. ==Election==