The President of the Republic of Lithuania is the head of state, representing the nation in international relations and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Operating within a semi-presidential system, the president primarily directs foreign and security policy, signs or vetoes legislation, and appoints high-ranking officials with parliamentary approval. The office was originally established on April 4, 1919, with Antanas Smetona as the first president, and was restored under the 1992 Constitution following the re-establishment of independence.