Lithuanian prosecutor names Skvernelis in bribery case linked to agriculture official

Lithuania’s Democratic Union “For Lithuania” is facing a deepening political crisis after its former leader, Saulius Skvernelis, was implicated in a bribery investigation involving a high-ranking agriculture official, public broadcaster LRT reports.

General Prosecutor Nida Grunskienė has requested that parliament lift Skvernelis’ legal immunity after evidence emerged that he allegedly received over €51,000 in bribes. According to investigative journalist Skirmantas Malinauskas, Jurijus Kornijenka—a senior figure at the State Plant Service (Augalininkystės tarnyba)—has testified against both Skvernelis and former agriculture minister Kazys Starkevičius.

“To my knowledge, the biggest challenge in this investigation is that it’s not entirely clear what was negotiated with Skvernelis, or whether he personally participated,” Malinauskas told LRT. “But Kornijenka, as I understand, has given testimony against both Starkevičius and Skvernelis.”

Skvernelis, who stepped down as party chairman last week, has suspended his membership amid the scandal. The Democrats “For Lithuania” have stressed that the party itself is not under investigation, though political analysts warn the damage to its reputation may be irreversible.

“I’m not saying the party will collapse entirely, but its members will have to work extremely hard just to stay afloat,” said Rima Urbonaitė, a political scientist at Mykolas Romeris University. “Buying advertising won’t be enough.”

Political analyst Matas Baltrukevičius added that the party’s survival hinges on Skvernelis’ legal outcome—but a resolution before the 2028 elections is uncertain. “Even if he were acquitted, you can’t build a strategy on that alone,” he said.

The case centers on monthly cash payments of €5,000–10,000 allegedly funneled to Skvernelis via his former adviser, Agnė Silickienė, in exchange for favors to Kornijenka. Investigators have drawn parallels to the MG Baltic corruption case, which led to the imprisonment of influential businessman Eligijus Masiulis.

Skvernelis, a former prime minister, has not publicly commented on the allegations. The party’s interim leadership is expected to be decided in the coming days.