Gintautas Paluckas, a relatively new figure in Lithuania’s top political ranks, rose to the role of Prime Minister in late 2024 after his center-left Social Democratic Party formed a three-party coalition following the October elections. Seen as a fresh face for the party, Paluckas quickly found himself at the center of controversy.
On August 1st, 2025, he announced his resignation amid growing investigations and mounting public protests tied to his past financial dealings, saying he could no longer allow the scandals to paralyze the government’s work.
Past Scandals and Corruption Allegations Intensify Pressure, Forcing Prime Minister to Resign
The pressure intensified after several media outlets published investigations in July detailing Paluckas’ business and financial history, including allegations of improper conduct both in recent years and over a decade ago. These revelations spurred Lithuania’s anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to launch formal inquiries.
Public discontent grew, and calls for Paluckas’ resignation grew louder, forcing the Prime Minister to step aside before opposition forces could initiate impeachment procedures.
Among the most damaging revelations was the resurfacing of the 2012 “rat poison scandal,” in which Paluckas was found guilty of abuse of power during his time as Vilnius’ municipal administration director. He had improperly awarded a public contract to a high-bidding pest control company.
Though he received a suspended two-year sentence, he never served time in prison. It was also revealed that he failed to pay a large portion of the €16,500 fine associated with that conviction, further undermining his credibility.
Political Turmoil Triggers Cabinet Collapse as Lithuania Prepares for Regional Security Challenges
Paluckas’ resignation has broader implications for the Lithuanian government. His entire Cabinet is expected to step down, raising concerns about a leadership vacuum just weeks before large-scale Russian-Belarusian military exercises near Lithuanian borders.
Although President Gitanas Nausėda, who holds considerable sway over foreign policy, will continue to guide Lithuania’s international posture, domestic governance may be temporarily stalled until a new ruling coalition is formed.
Despite the political shake-up, Lithuania’s foreign policy is expected to remain steady, especially its unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Paluckas, while maintaining his innocence and accusing political rivals of orchestrating a “coordinated attack,” has stepped down from power, at least temporarily.
The Social Democratic Party must now focus on rebuilding its reputation and may seek to redefine its role within a future administration. In the meantime, coalition negotiations are expected to begin soon in an effort to reestablish effective leadership and bring stability to the nation’s government.
