Saulius Skvernelis leaves Democratic Union faction to join Mixed Group in parliament

Former Democratic Union “For Lithuania” leader Saulius Skvernelis has left the party’s parliamentary faction and will join the Mixed Group of non-affiliated lawmakers, party whip Lukas Savickas confirmed to BNS on Tuesday.

Skvernelis informed the Democratic faction of his decision in a personal message, Savickas said, declining to comment further. “This was his personal decision,” he stated.

The move follows last week’s suspension of Skvernelis’ party membership after Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė announced plans to request parliament lift his legal immunity. Grunskienė’s office alleges Skvernelis accepted at least €51,000 in bribes between June and November 2025 in exchange for using his influence to protect State Plant Service head Jurijus Kornijenko, intervene in complaints about the agency, and influence hiring decisions.

Skvernelis had previously claimed he was “expelled” from the faction, calling it “a serious blow.” The Democratic Union’s acting chair had earlier urged him to leave the group voluntarily.