Lithuanian government steps down

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas announced his resignation on August 4, leading to the automatic resignation of the entire government, in line with the country’s constitution.

The decision came amid growing scrutiny over Paluckas’ past business dealings, following investigative reports and two ongoing pretrial investigations, Caliber.Az reports via LRT. 

Paluckas confirmed his resignation during an extraordinary government meeting and stated that the cabinet would continue in a caretaker role until a new prime minister is appointed. He is set to formally submit his resignation to President Gitanas Nausėda later the same day.

Under Lithuanian law, the president must accept the government’s resignation and appoint an interim prime minister. President Nausėda then has 15 days to nominate a new prime minister candidate to the parliament (Seimas), with the Social Democratic Party, the largest faction, expected to propose a nominee soon.

The current governing coalition, led by the Social Democrats, includes the Nemunas Dawn party and the Democrats “For Lithuania.” Coalition changes are anticipated, with some parties reportedly pushing for a reshuffle excluding Nemunas Dawn.

Interim Social Democratic Party leader Jonava Mayor Mindaugas Sinkevičius is among the frontrunners to succeed Paluckas, alongside Minister of Social Security and Labour Inga Ruginienė, First Deputy Speaker Juozas Olekas, and Vilnius District Mayor Robert Duchnevič.

The Social Democrats hold 52 of the 141 seats in the Seimas.

By Sabina Mammadli