Political opponents of embattled President Rolandas Paksas gathered the 36 parliamentary signatures required to launch impeachment proceedings within less than half an hour after the parliamentary caucus leaders formally approved the text on 11 December, "Kauno diena" reported the next day.

The text, which differed only slightly from the draft version presented the previous day, was eventually signed by 46 deputies on its first day. Additional signatures may be gathered until 16 December.

The impeachment motion is expected to be registered with the parliamentary secretariat after Chairman Arturas Paulauskas signs it on 15 December. Liberal and Center Union caucus leader Eligijus Masiulis predicted that there will be more than 70 signatures by that afternoon.

(RFE/RL 12.xii.03)