Lithuania’s Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has stepped down following investigations into his business dealings, which prompted widespread protests calling for his resignation. The center-left Social Democrat leader ascended to the role in late 2022 after a three-party coalition formed following a parliamentary election.
Paluckas cited the scandals hindering government work as reason for his departure. In a letter to party members, he wrote that he could not allow his coalition and Cabinet to become “hostages” to these scandals. President Gitanas Nausĕda announced Paluckas’ resignation, stating that Lithuania’s foreign policy is unlikely to change.
Paluckas faced intense media scrutiny over his business dealings, including investigations into past ventures and alleged mishandlings. He was also found to have failed to pay a significant fine in connection with a 2012 criminal case, dubbed the “rat poison scandal.” The Social Democratic party leader denied any wrongdoing, labeling the criticism as part of a “coordinated attack” by political opponents.
Paluckas’ resignation occurred before opposition-led impeachment proceedings could begin. New coalition talks are expected to start shortly to form a new Cabinet, potentially leaving Lithuania without an effective government weeks before Russia holds joint military exercises with neighboring Belarus.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/lithuania-prime-minister-paluckas-resigns-protests-investigations-a85c94bd8f0188dd3b8dc2476291bb41