Lithuanian MP under scrutiny for alleged business involvement during parliamentary sessions

A Lithuanian activist has accused Robertas Puchovičius, deputy elder of the Seimas’ Nemuno Aušra faction, of actively managing his construction business during parliamentary sessions, potentially violating constitutional restrictions on lawmakers’ commercial activities, reports LRT.

Karolis Žukauskas, a civic activist investigating financial flows linked to the Nemuno Aušra faction, claims Puchovičius visited his company’s construction sites at least 45 times in March and April alone—often during Seimas proceedings. Under Lithuania’s constitution, MPs may hold passive shares in businesses but cannot actively participate in management.

Puchovičius denies wrongdoing, stating he visits sites only as a shareholder to “observe what is happening” and does not make decisions. “I participate only as much as a Seimas member is allowed—to drive to my properties and see what’s going on. I don’t evaluate anything, I don’t make any decisions,” he told LRT.

Žukauskas alleges the visits coincided with Puchovičius’ absences from votes and committee meetings, with some site trips lasting up to 90 minutes. Surveillance footage and vehicle records reportedly place Puchovičius’ Range Rover at a Vilnius housing development 21 times between February and late April, including on a Monday immediately after his return from leave.

Faction colleague Karolis Neimantas dismissed the claims as “a PR stunt” by Žukauskas, who lacks legal or journalistic credentials. “A person with no education in law, economics, or journalism is trying to stretch things that are pure fabrication,” Neimantas said.

Viktoras Fiodorovas, chair of the Seimas Ethics and Procedure Committee, acknowledged that proving a constitutional breach would require substantial evidence beyond photographs or witness statements. “It’s not simple to prove an MP is doing another job and that it constitutes a violation in the area where the Constitutional Court has ruled,” he noted.

Opposition lawmakers have yet to indicate whether the allegations could lead to impeachment proceedings.