Lithuanian parliament to consider lifting MP Skvernelis’ immunity on Tuesday

The Lithuanian parliament will consider a request from the prosecutor general to strip MP Saulius Skvernelis of his legal immunity during Tuesday’s plenary session, Speaker Juozas Olekas confirmed on Friday.

The move follows a formal submission by Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė, who signed and sent the request to the Seimas on Thursday. The document seeks parliamentary approval to charge Skvernelis, leader of the Democrats’ Union “For Lithuania” faction, with alleged criminal activity under Article 225(3) of the Criminal Code, which covers bribery offences punishable by imprisonment.

Olekas told reporters that the request, which mentions a sum of €51,000, would follow standard procedure: “First, the MP himself must decide whether to waive immunity or request a commission. Then the Seimas will vote.” He acknowledged the case “deals a blow to the parliament’s reputation,” urging politicians to reflect on their conduct.

The prosecutor’s request stems from a 2025 pre-trial investigation into suspected corruption by officials at the State Plant Service, where Skvernelis is implicated as part of an organised group. Without parliamentary approval to lift his immunity—granted by the Constitution since his election in November 2024—the investigation cannot proceed.

Skvernelis has announced he will suspend his membership in the Democrats’ Union but remains undecided on waiving immunity. He does not intend to resign from parliament.

The case is linked to a broader high-level corruption probe. In earlier raids, the Special Investigation Service searched Skvernelis’ Seimas office and home, as well as those of conservative MP Kazys Starkevičius, who temporarily stepped down from the Homeland Union party. Both were questioned as special witnesses; Starkevičius reportedly refused to testify.

Skvernelis has previously denied wrongdoing, stating he “did nothing criminal.”