Social Democrats not considering expulsion of Paluckas from faction, says leader

The Social Democratic faction in Lithuania’s parliament has no plans to expel former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas, despite the Seimas voting to strip his legal immunity, faction leader Orinta Leiputė said on Thursday.

“Since there are no formal accusations yet—only the text we read—we are not even considering that Gintautas, who has already suspended his membership and previously stepped down from certain positions, should be removed from the faction. That is his decision,” Leiputė told reporters after the vote.

She added that Paluckas “has certain knowledge, experience, and potential,” and will continue working within the faction unless new information emerges.

Opposition accused of escalating situation

Ahead of the vote, reports suggested some lawmakers might attempt to preserve Paluckas’ immunity. Remigijus Žemaitaitis, leader of the “Nemuno aušra” group, had earlier stated he would oppose lifting the immunity. However, with 93 MPs voting in favour, Leiputė accused the opposition and media of exaggerating the issue.

“I believe there was an attempt by the opposition, with your [media] help, to escalate the situation. We received many calls and questions from journalists,” she said.

Leiputė stressed that the faction’s vote demonstrated the Social Democrats’ consistent stance that MPs should not hide behind their mandates and must cooperate with law enforcement.

Democrat MP questions trust in Social Democrats

Democratic Party MP Agnė Širinskienė rejected claims of escalation, arguing that the Social Democrats could not be trusted. She noted that some faction members were absent during the vote and suggested they might return later to support Paluckas.

“We have a long history of Social Democrat deceptions—whether it’s the Dudėnas case or attempts to amend the Criminal Code to protect their own. Today’s votes for Paluckas’ immunity again show they cannot be trusted,” Širinskienė said.

Background

On Thursday, the Seimas voted 93–2, with three abstentions, to remove Paluckas’ legal immunity. The move follows a request from the prosecutor general to allow criminal proceedings against the former prime minister over allegations of abuse of office and unlawful enrichment.

Prosecutors claim Paluckas and his wife may have illegally acquired assets worth nearly €345,000, including cash deposits, vehicles, real estate, and securities. Paluckas has denied the allegations but agreed to the simplified procedure for lifting his immunity.