Lithuanian president says former PM Paluckas should resign from parliament

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has stated that former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas should step down as a member of parliament following a request from law enforcement to lift his legal immunity, LRT reports.

“After the latest developments, I believe he should do so, but this is his personal decision,” Nausėda told journalists on Thursday.

The president’s remarks come as prosecutors have asked parliament to revoke Paluckas’ legal immunity, a step required before potential charges can be brought against a sitting lawmaker.

Starkevičius corruption admission called a “blow to political community”

Nausėda also addressed the recent admission by former Conservative MP Kazys Starkevičius that he accepted a bribe of up to €20,000. While noting that Starkevičius’ confession does not absolve him of guilt—a matter for the courts to decide—the president called the case a “painful” blow to both the politician and the broader political establishment.

“We all understand that a confession does not negate guilt. It may be a mitigating circumstance, but the court must assess everything,” Nausėda said. “It is truly painful to see that a person who once served as a minister and held responsible positions in the Seimas has, as he says, succumbed to a moment of weakness.”

He added: “This is a serious crime, let’s not shy away from that word. And it is indeed a blow—both to him and to the entire political community.”

Starkevičius, a former agriculture minister, resigned from the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) party on Thursday. According to reports by news portal 15min, the bribe was allegedly delivered in cash last October by businessman Danielius Krinickis, linked to former State Plant Service (VAT) director Jurijus Kornijenko, and left in a Seimas dormitory. Starkevičius later handed the money to investigators himself.

Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė described the case as a “serious reputational blow to the entire political system,” while former TS-LKD leader Gabrielius Landsbergis urged the party to sever all ties with Starkevičius, who had already suspended his membership.

Background: VAT corruption probe expands

The Starkevičius case stems from a broader corruption investigation into the State Plant Service, where officials are accused of systematically demanding and receiving large bribes in exchange for phytosanitary certificates for cargo transporters. Fifteen individuals, including former VAT director Kornijenko and his deputy, have been detained as part of the probe.

Authorities have seized over €1.3 million in cash, 8 kg of gold (worth ~€1 million), 11,000 packs of cigarettes, 14,000 litres of alcohol, cocaine, and explosives during more than 100 searches. In February, raids were also conducted at the homes and offices of MPs Saulius Skvernelis and Starkevičius.

Starkevičius, a lawyer by training, had served in the Seimas since 2004 and held roles including Kaunas deputy mayor and Kaunas County governor before resigning his mandate this month.