Former Lithuanian PM agrees to waive immunity but vows to stay in politics

Former Lithuanian prime minister Gintautas Paluckas has agreed to voluntarily waive his parliamentary immunity, following a request from Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė to lift his legal protections, LRT.lt reports.

Speaking in the Seimas on Tuesday, Paluckas stated he would not obstruct the process to avoid delaying colleagues’ work on “more important state matters.” However, he affirmed his intention to remain in politics, calling it “a passion and a calling.”

“As long as I feel this passion, I will stay in politics. When it fades, I will move on to other work,” he said, adding he currently feels “strong passion” for his political role.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has accused Paluckas and his wife, Ilma Paluckienė, of allegedly acquiring assets worth nearly €345,000 through undeclared cash between December 2010 and late 2024. The assets in question include real estate, vehicles, and securities purchased with undeclared funds.

Paluckas, who leads the Social Democratic Party’s parliamentary faction, dismissed suggestions he would step down, stating his work remains “most effective” within the party. He also claimed he could justify the origin of the funds under scrutiny, citing tax declarations, witness testimonies, and other evidence submitted during the pre-trial investigation.

While party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius previously stated Paluckas saw “no political future” for himself, the former prime minister avoided definitive statements. “The future isn’t a crystal ball—I can’t predict it. We’ll see what lies ahead,” he said, adding he had “no intention of hiding” and would “actively defend” himself.