1926 Lithuanian Coup d'État
The 1926 Lithuanian coup d'état was a pivotal event in the history of Lithuania, occurring on 17 December 1926. This military coup replaced the democratically elected government with an authoritarian regime led by Antanas Smetona, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the country.
Background
Prior to the coup, Lithuania had been governed by a leftist coalition which included the Lithuanian Peasant Popular Union and the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania. The political environment was characterized by instability, which created a fertile ground for a power shift.
The Lithuanian Nationalist Union, a relatively new and small nationalistic party at the time, played a central role in the coup. By 1926, this party had gained only minimal representation in the Seimas with three seats, but its influence dramatically increased following the coup.
Coup Execution
The coup was primarily orchestrated by the Lithuanian military, with support from the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party. The Christian Democrats, while not taking major posts in the new government, provided constitutional legitimacy to the military actions. The coup's planning and execution are subjects of historical debate, particularly concerning the extent of Antanas Smetona's involvement. Some accounts suggest he was aware of the coup, but he neither inspired nor organized it. At the time, Smetona served as editor of the newspaper Lietuvis (The Lithuanian).
Aftermath
With the coup's success, the Lithuanian Nationalist Union established a regime under Smetona's leadership. The Christian Democrats withdrew from the government by May 1927, leaving the Nationalists to consolidate power. This effectively marked the end of Lithuania's brief period of democracy and the beginning of authoritarian rule.