VILNIUS – Lithuania Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas stepped down on Thursday following investigations into his enterprise dealings that prompted protests within the Baltic country ’s capital calling for his resignation.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda introduced Paluckas’ resignation to the media on Thursday morning. A spokesperson for Paluckas didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Paluckas, a newly established chief of the center-left Social Democrats, ascended to the function late final yr after a three-party coalition fashioned following parliamentary elections in October. His complete cupboard is now anticipated additionally to resign, probably leaving the nation with out an efficient authorities weeks earlier than Russia holds joint navy workouts with neighboring Belarus.
Lithuanian international coverage is unlikely to alter because of the federal government shakeup. Nausėda, who was elected individually, is the country’s face on the world stage and has been one of the crucial stalwart supporters of Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian forces.
Paluckas has not too long ago been dogged by media investigations into his enterprise and monetary dealings. A number of media retailers printed investigations in July concerning Paluckas’ previous and current ventures and alleged mishandlings, together with ones greater than a decade in the past. The Baltic country ’s anti-corruption and regulation enforcement businesses subsequently launched their very own probes.
In a devastating blow to his popularity, the media additionally revealed that Paluckas by no means paid a major a part of a 16,500 euro tremendous ($19,039) in reference to a 2012 prison case dubbed the “rat poison scandal.”
Paluckas was convicted of mishandling the bidding course of for Vilnius’ rat extermination providers whereas serving because the capital metropolis’s municipality administration director. Judges for the nation’s prime court docket in 2012 dominated that he abused his official place by illegally granting privileges to the corporate that supplied the best value within the bid.
He was additionally sentenced to 2 years behind bars, however the sentence was suspended for one yr and he finally was by no means imprisoned.
The Social Democratic celebration chief denied any wrongdoing concerning his enterprise affairs, labeling the criticism as a part of a “coordinated assault” by political opponents.
He resigned earlier than the opposition might formally launch impeachment proceedings. New coalition talks are anticipated to begin shortly to type a brand new cupboard.
Copyright 2025 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
