Latest news with #ForLithuania
News18
31-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Lithuanian PM Gintautas Paluckas Resigns Amid Corruption Allegations
Paluckas' departure comes after he was issued an ultimatum on July 30. Lithuania's Prime Minister, Gintautas Paluckas, has officially stepped down from his position following intense pressure from within the ruling coalition. The announcement was made on Thursday in an official statement released by the Social Democrat Party. President Gitanas Nausėda later confirmed the resignation to the media. Paluckas' departure comes after he was issued an ultimatum on July 30 by a junior coalition party, For Lithuania, one of the three parties forming the current government. The party warned that it would withdraw its support unless Paluckas resigned. Despite stepping down, the Prime Minister has firmly denied any wrongdoing or involvement in corrupt practices. 'Despite my decision to leave my current duties, I will continue to defend my honour and dignity and I'm waiting for the conclusions of the investigations, which I'm sure will separate the facts from insinuations," Paluckas said in a statement, standing by his position. The demand for his resignation intensified in recent days following media reports highlighting his links to a private company owned by his sister-in-law. Allegations over potentially improper business connections triggered widespread protests across the Baltic nation, with demonstrators calling for his removal from office. Paluckas had only recently assumed the role of Prime Minister after being elected leader of the Social Democrat Party and guiding them to success in the October parliamentary elections last year. Though not yet confirmed, it is widely speculated that his resignation may lead to the dissolution of the entire cabinet. The allegations revolve around claims that Paluckas' affiliated businesses improperly managed contracts and deals, prompting official investigations by Lithuania's anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies. The company owned by his sister-in-law has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all contracts were secured through legitimate tendering procedures. According to Mazvydas Jastramskis, a political analyst at the Vilnius Institute of International Relations and Political Science, the next prime minister will likely be chosen from within the Social Democrat Party, which currently holds 52 out of 141 seats in Lithuania's Parliament. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 23:46 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Euractiv
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Lithuanian PM resigns amid corruption probe
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned on Thursday amid an ongoing investigation into potential financial crimes by firms linked to him. "I informed the president about an hour ago that I took the decision to resign from my duties as the prime minister," Paluckas said in a statement. He added that he was also leaving his post as the head of the Social Democratic party. "Despite my decision to leave my current duties, I will continue to defend my honour and dignity and I'm waiting for the conclusions of the investigations, which I'm sure will separate the facts from insinuations," he said. Earlier Thursday, local media reported that Lithuania's Financial Crimes Investigation Service (FNTT) searched the offices of Dankora, a company belonging to Paluckas's sister-in-law. The firm used EU funds to buy battery systems from Garnis, a company partly owned by Paluckas. Investigative reporters in Lithuania first revealed in May that the same company partly owned by Paluckas received a subsidised state loan when he was already head of government. The country's authorities then launched a probe, which is ongoing. Journalists later revealed more cases of alleged corruption, some of which are now also under investigation. Paluckas had previously been convicted of abusing his office while serving as director of the Vilnius City Municipal Administration. He was fined. He has been prime minister since last year, when the Social Democrats won the October election and formed a ruling coalition with the populist Nemunas Dawn party and the centre-left For Lithuania party. The head of "For Lithuania", former prime minister Saulius Skvernelis, threatened on Wednesday to pull out of the coalition if Paluckas stayed on. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda had given Paluckas on July 24 two weeks to respond to the corruption allegations or quit. Nauseda said the Social Democrats will now hold talks on forming a new cabinet but said he hoped the existing ministers would remain in their posts. The cabinet will still need to submit a formal resignation as per the constitution, with the new government to be confirmed by the president. A new prime minister must be appointed within 60 days, according to the Lithuanian constitution. During that time a current minister can be temporarily appointed to head the government.
Reuters
30-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Lithuania coalition partner threatens to quit unless PM resigns
VILNIUS, July 30 (Reuters) - A junior party in Lithuania's government on Wednesday threatened to quit the ruling coalition unless Social Democratic Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigns by August 18 over business ties to a company owned by his sister-in-law. Without the centre-left For Lithuania party, which won 14 seats in the 2024 election, the Social Democrats and another junior partner, Nemunas Dawn, would be left with only 71 seats, the bare minimum required for a majority in the 141-seat assembly, and vulnerable to any further defections. The prime minister's office said Paluckas was on holiday, and declined to comment further. He has denied any wrongdoing. Opposition parties in the Baltic country have criticised Paluckas for business dealings in which a company he co-owns sold electric batteries to one owned by his sister-in-law in a deal financed by a government agency. Last week, the sister-in-law's company said it would decline the funding from the government, but denied wrongdoing. It said it made purchases from Paluckas' business following an open tender. Saulius Skvernelis, the leader of For Lithuania, on Wednesday gave the prime minister a deadline to resign by the next coalition leaders' meeting, which is scheduled for August 18. "(If Paluckas stays) we will not remain in the coalition," Skvernelis told reporters.
Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Lithuania coalition partner threatens to quit unless PM resigns
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox VILNIUS - A junior party in Lithuania's government on Wednesday threatened to quit the ruling coalition unless Social Democratic Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigns by August 18 over business ties to a company owned by his sister-in-law. Without the centre-left For Lithuania party, which won 14 seats in the 2024 election, the Social Democrats and another junior partner, Nemunas Dawn, would be left with only 71 seats, the bare minimum required for a majority in the 141-seat assembly, and vulnerable to any further defections. The prime minister's office said Paluckas was on holiday, and declined to comment further. He has denied any wrongdoing. Opposition parties in the Baltic country have criticised Paluckas for business dealings in which a company he co-owns sold electric batteries to one owned by his sister-in-law in a deal financed by a government agency. Last week, the sister-in-law's company said it would decline the funding from the government, but denied wrongdoing. It said it made purchases from Paluckas' business following an open tender. Saulius Skvernelis, the leader of For Lithuania, on Wednesday gave the prime minister a deadline to resign by the next coalition leaders' meeting, which is scheduled for August 18. "(If Paluckas stays) we will not remain in the coalition," Skvernelis told reporters. REUTERS
