Ethics commission seeks more information on Palucke’s clinic hiring

Lithuania’s Chief Official Ethics Commission will gather more information about Ilma Palucke’s hiring at Vilnius District Polyclinic before deciding whether to open an investigation, LRT reported Wednesday. The commission made the decision unanimously.

The parliamentary faction of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats asked the commission to investigate whether clinic director Evaldas Navickas breached the Law on the Coordination of Public and Private Interests by making or taking part in the hiring decision. Navickas previously served as a health adviser to Palucke’s husband, former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas.

The faction also asked the commission to determine whether Vilnius District Mayor Robertas Duchnevicius knew about the planned hiring and whether, as the official responsible for appointing Navickas, he should have taken steps to remove him from the decision.

Duchnevicius previously told ELTA that he discussed the circumstances with Navickas, who assured him Palucke was hired based on her qualifications. Polyclinic spokesperson Gabriele Jankauskaite said Palucke was selected after candidates were assessed on their qualifications, professional experience and suitability for the position.

In September, news outlet Delfi reported that Palucke had started work at the clinic during the summer as an internal communications coordinator. Gintautas Paluckas’s declaration of public and private interests says she began working there on August 17. He also told Delfi that she was hired based on her qualifications.