Lithuanian parliament strips Skvernelis of legal immunity amid emotional speech

The Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) voted on Thursday to remove former prime minister Saulius Skvernelis‘ legal immunity from prosecution, following a request by the prosecutor general’s office, LRT reports. Skvernelis, who addressed lawmakers before the vote, called the decision inevitable but criticised what he described as a violation of the presumption of innocence in Lithuania.

Speaking in the Seimas chamber, Skvernelis—who had requested the fast-track removal of his immunity on Tuesday—acknowledged the difficulty of the moment but framed it as necessary to defend his rights in court. “This is not a joyful day, but an unavoidable one,” he said. “This vote grants me the opportunity to use the legal tools provided by the Criminal Procedure Code and become an active participant in the criminal process.”

He accused public discourse of already treating him as “a suspect, a defendant, a convicted man,” despite no formal charges being filed. “For over 35 years, we’ve been building a legal state, yet we still fail to uphold its core principle: the presumption of innocence,” Skvernelis said. “Today I stand before you not even as a suspect—yet in the public eye, I’ve already been tried and convicted.”

The former prime minister, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, suggested the case reflected broader systemic issues in Lithuania’s justice system. “This isn’t just about me. Any citizen facing preliminary procedural steps is immediately deemed guilty in the court of public opinion,” he argued. He also confirmed his political career was over, stating, “I entered politics unexpectedly, and I leave it just as unexpectedly—though not under circumstances I’d wish.”

Skvernelis, who had considered resigning from parliament, cited the high cost of legal defence as a reason for staying to maintain an income. His speech was met with both applause and jeers from lawmakers. Addressing his critics, he said, “I don’t resent those who choose to dance on my grave. This is simply how things are.”

Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė had submitted the immunity removal request on Tuesday, alleging that Skvernelis received at least €51,000 in cash between June and November 2025 in Vilnius as part of an undisclosed agreement. Skvernelis has not been formally charged, and no further details of the investigation have been made public.