Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned on Thursday amid mounting pressure over corruption investigations and public protests demanding his departure.
Paluckas, who took office late last year as leader of the centre-left Social Democratic Party, stepped down just months after forming a coalition government following the October parliamentary elections. His resignation is expected to lead to the dissolution of the entire Cabinet, leaving the Baltic state facing political uncertainty just weeks ahead of Russian-Belarusian joint military drills near its borders.
In a letter to his party, Paluckas said the ongoing controversies were impeding government work. “I cannot allow the ruling coalition and Cabinet to be held hostage by these scandals. I am taking swift and decisive action,” he wrote. “I have never clung to power, and I remain open to all possible outcomes.”
President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed the resignation in a statement to the media Thursday morning.
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Despite the political shake-up, Lithuania's foreign policy stance is expected to remain unchanged, as President Nausėda—elected independently—continues to represent the country globally and has been a steadfast backer of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Paluckas’ downfall follows a series of media reports in July scrutinizing his business history and financial conduct, prompting formal investigations by Lithuania’s anti-corruption and law enforcement bodies.
A major blow came when reports resurfaced about a 2012 criminal case known as the “rat poison scandal.” While serving as director of the Vilnius municipal administration, Paluckas was convicted of manipulating a public tender, unlawfully favoring a higher bidder for rat extermination services. Though sentenced to two years in prison, his sentence was suspended, and he never served time. He also reportedly failed to pay a significant portion of the 16,500-euro (about $19,000) fine tied to the case.
Paluckas has denied wrongdoing in both past and recent allegations, accusing political rivals of orchestrating a “coordinated attack.”
He stepped down before the opposition could initiate formal impeachment proceedings. Talks to form a new coalition government are expected to begin soon.
Source: Agency