“Nemuno aušra” leader dismisses threat of losing state funding over car rental scandal

The leader of Lithuania’s “Nemuno aušra” party, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, has downplayed the potential loss of state funding if the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) rules against the party in an ongoing car rental investigation, claiming supporters would cover any financial shortfall, LRT reports.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Žemaitaitis insisted that losing the subsidy “would mean nothing” and that the party would raise even more money from donors. “There are more people willing to contribute to ‘Nemuno aušra’ than we need,” he said, adding that increased media scrutiny could even boost fundraising efforts.

The VRK has postponed a decision on whether the party violated financing rules by renting vehicles from Žemaitaitis and his deputy, Daiva Petkevičienė, for nearly €50,000. Investigators allege the payments breached accounting laws, misused state funds, and falsified financial reports. If confirmed, the party could lose its state subsidy, and the two officials may be forced to reimburse the sums.

The case stems from a January car rental agreement—worth €31,500—between “Nemuno aušra” and Žemaitaitis, which was published only after a civic watchdog, “Viešpirkiai,” exposed it in February. The Ethics Commission has since expanded its own probe into whether Žemaitaitis failed to declare a conflict of interest, as required for deals exceeding €3,000.

The VRK’s final ruling is expected at its next session.