Lithuanian parliament strips Paluckas of legal immunity

The Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) on Thursday voted to remove the legal immunity of former prime minister and ex-leader of the Social Democratic Party, Gintautas Paluckas, LRT.lt reports.

In the secret ballot, 93 out of 98 participating MPs voted in favour of lifting immunity, exceeding the required majority. Three lawmakers from the conservative “Nemuno Aušra” faction abstained, while two others—Dainius Varnas of the “Democrats” and faction leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis—initially voted against the move. Varnas later clarified his vote was a mistake.

Addressing parliament before the decision, Paluckas acknowledged the likely outcome and remarked: “It seems I, like many Lithuanians, enjoy counting other people’s money. But soon, it appears, I’ll have to count my own—not alone, but with the prosecutor. This matter is a tango for two, so I won’t need the Seimas’s help. Thank you, dear colleagues.”

The vote follows a request from Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė, who on Tuesday sought permission to press criminal charges against Paluckas. Investigators allege that between December 2010 and late 2024, Paluckas and his wife Ilma Paluckė—who already faces formal suspicion—may have unlawfully acquired assets worth nearly €345,000. The assets include cash deposits, vehicles, real estate, and securities.

The case centres on potential abuse of office and illicit enrichment under Articles 228 and 189 of Lithuania’s Criminal Code. Paluckas, who suspended his Social Democratic Party membership after the allegations surfaced, retains his parliamentary seat despite calls from some party colleagues to resign.

Earlier reports suggested ruling coalition members had explored ways to preserve Paluckas’s immunity, despite his own request for its swift removal. Opposition MP Agnė Širinskienė claimed some Social Democrats had urged colleagues to leave the chamber during the vote to avoid a quorum.