Public approval of Skvernelis plummets, support for Democrats party declines

A new public opinion poll shows a sharp decline in favourable ratings for Saulius Skvernelis, a politician linked to a high-profile corruption case, with support for his former party, the Democrats “For Lithuania,” also falling below the parliamentary threshold, *LRT* reports.

The survey, conducted by *Baltijos tyrimai* for the ELTA news agency between April 23 and May 7, reveals that only 11% of respondents now view Skvernelis favourably—a drop of 20 percentage points in a month and 40 points compared to May last year. If parliamentary elections were held this weekend, his party would fail to clear the 5% threshold needed to enter the Seimas, with just 3.5% of respondents pledging their vote.

The poll also assessed public perceptions of other prominent figures. Former presidents Valdas Adamkus (77% favourable) and Dalia Grybauskaitė (59%) remained the most positively viewed. Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys (45% favourable vs. 37% unfavourable), MP Valius Ąžuolas (43% vs. 31%), journalist Edmundas Jakilaitis (41% vs. 40%), and National Union leader Vytautas Sinica (32% vs. 30%) also received more positive than negative ratings.

In contrast, over half of respondents held unfavourable views of eight politicians, including Skvernelis (80% unfavourable), professor Vytautas Landsbergis (68%), conservative leader Ingrida Šimonytė (65%), National Revival leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis (55%), TS-LKD chairman Laurynas Kasčiūnas (55%), Liberal Movement leader Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen (54%), Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas (53%), and Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė (52%).

Party ratings showed little change, with the Social Democrats (LSDP) leading at 12.4%, followed by the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) at 11.4% and the National Revival party at 11.3%. The ruling Farmers and Greens would secure 9.8%, while the Liberal Movement stood at 7.8%.