Lithuanian parliament to vote on lifting Skvernelis’ immunity amid bribery allegations

The Lithuanian parliament is deciding Thursday whether to strip MP Saulius Skvernelis of his legal immunity after prosecutors accused him of accepting bribes in a high-profile corruption case, LRT.lt reports.

Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė formally requested the move earlier this week, seeking to charge Skvernelis over allegations he received at least €51,000 in cash bribes between June and November 2025 while serving as speaker of the Seimas. The payments were allegedly funneled through his then-adviser Agnė Silickienė, who also held a position at the State Plant Service (Augalininkystės tarnyba).

Skvernelis, who has denied wrongdoing, addressed lawmakers ahead of the vote, calling the decision a necessary step to clear his name. “This is not an easy situation, but it is what it is,” he said. “Today is crucial for the next phase of my life—to gain the opportunity to defend my rights through legal means in a rule-of-law state.”

He criticised what he described as a climate of “rumours, gossip, and misinformation” surrounding the case, arguing that the presumption of innocence appeared not to apply. “This vote is vital to allow me to exercise my rights under the Criminal Procedure Code and become an active participant in the legal process,” he added.

Prosecutors allege Skvernelis used his influence as speaker to protect the head of the State Plant Service, Jurijus Kornijenka, and intervene in personnel and complaint-handling decisions in exchange for the payments. The wider investigation involves €1.5 million in suspected bribes linked to the agency.

Skvernelis has previously called the €51,000 figure “unfounded” and urged parliament to lift his immunity to allow him to mount a legal defence. The vote follows a simplified procedure he initiated earlier this week.