Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned on Thursday following public outrage and investigations into his alleged illicit business dealings, sparking widespread protests in the capital. The decision came after a prolonged period of political pressure, with President Gitanas Nausėda publicly endorsing the move, calling it ‘the right choice.’ Nausėda had previously given Paluckas two weeks to either address public concerns or step down, and the prime minister’s resignation has left the country in a precarious political position.
Paluckas faces multiple allegations, including a 2012 conviction for mishandling the bidding process for rat extermination in Vilnius, where he was serving as the director of the city’s municipality administration. While he was initially fined nearly $20,000, it has since been revealed that he did not pay the amount. Additionally, a more recent scandal involved a €200,000 ($228,777) subsidized loan to his co-founded company, Garnis, which received the funds after he was already serving as prime minister. Lithuania’s Chief Official Ethics Commission is currently investigating the loan.
Another scandal linked to Paluckas involves his sister-in-law’s company, Dankora, which received EU funding and used it to purchase goods from Garnis. However, public outcry led to the return of the funds. Paluckas has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the criticisms are part of a ‘coordinated attack’ by his political opponents. The prime minister’s resignation has raised concerns about political instability in Lithuania as the country prepares for joint military exercises with Russia and Belarus. While Paluckas’ entire cabinet is expected to resign, President Nausėda remains a key figure in shaping the nation’s foreign policy, particularly regarding its support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.