Lithuanian prime minister calls former MP’s bribery admission a reputational blow

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has described former conservative MP Kazys Starkevičius’s admission of accepting a bribe as a “major reputational blow” to the political arena, national broadcaster LRT reports.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Šimonytė condemned the case as “deeply negative,” emphasising that politicians must uphold public trust as the foundation of their work. “Those who fail to grasp this principle do not belong in politics,” she stated.

The prime minister noted that the government had approved an anti-corruption prevention plan through 2029, developed in coordination with law enforcement, to reduce such risks. She highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Special Investigation Service (STT), which has provided ministers—including herself—with risk assessments to heighten vigilance.

“Cooperation and transparency with institutions are key to avoiding misconduct and unjust decisions,” Šimonytė said, adding that politicians must also hold themselves to higher standards to restore public confidence.

Starkevičius, a former agriculture minister, admitted to investigators this week that he accepted €20,000 in bribes in a corruption case involving the State Plant Service. According to 15min.lt, he returned the money and expressed remorse, claiming he had not solicited the bribe and initially attempted to refuse it. The funds were allegedly delivered by businessman Danielius Krinickis, linked to former service director Jurijus Kornijenko.

The broader investigation implicates several high-profile figures, including former Prime Minister and Seimas Speaker Saulius Skvernelis and his ex-adviser Agnė Silickienė. Prosecutors estimate the total bribes in the case may exceed €1.1 million, with monthly payoffs distributed among officials and politicians since mid-2025 in exchange for issuing phytosanitary certificates.