However, the government was structured similarly to its Soviet predecessor: legislative and executive functions were combined under the parliament (Supreme Council, Lithuanian: Aukščiausioji Taryba), and the judiciary branch was not independent.

The Basic Law did not reflect the changing economic and social relations and the evolving demands of the society and the state.

At the end of 1991 the Supreme Council established a commission tasked with preparing a draft constitution.

The resulting proposal was approved by the Supreme Council on 21 April 1992 and presented to the public.

An alternative draft constitution was prepared by a coalition led by Sąjūdis.