Lithuanian social democrats prefer Paluckas to leave politics, says party leader

The withdrawal of former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas from politics would be the most favourable outcome for the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), party leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius said in an interview with the ELTA news agency on Friday.

“It would be best for the party if Gintautas Paluckas followed the example of Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis or Kazys Starkevičius—stepping back from public life, leaving politics, protecting his honour, his family, and his wife’s situation,” Sinkevičius stated. “If he did that, he would still be welcome in the political organisation. If not, his professional path may no longer be linked to politics.”

Sinkevičius acknowledged that Paluckas has instead chosen to defend himself, following the path of former president Saulius Skvernelis. “Paluckas believes he has done nothing wrong and considers the accusations against him unfounded,” the LSDP leader explained.

Even if Paluckas remains in active politics, his presence in the social democrats’ parliamentary faction would not change, Sinkevičius noted. However, he argued that switching factions would not improve Paluckas’ or the party’s image. “Would cutting ties with the social democrats stop the media from writing about him, from examining the details? No one would forget he was a former prime minister, a social democrat, a party leader,” he said.

Sinkevičius also criticised fellow MP Remigijus Žemaitaitis for his aggressive rhetoric in a recent health committee meeting, calling his language “completely unacceptable.” While Žemaitaitis later apologised, Sinkevičius stressed that public figures must control their emotions. “If someone can’t speak in a factual, politically correct way—even sharply—that’s their problem to address,” he said.