Lithuania’s Central Electoral Commission delays ruling on alleged election financing violations by “Nemuno aušra”

The Central Electoral Commission of Lithuania (VRK) has postponed by one month a decision on whether the political party Nemuno aušra and its leader, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, severely violated election financing rules during the 2024 parliamentary and presidential campaigns, LRT reports.

The unanimous decision to delay came after three requests for additional time, including two from companies mentioned in an investigative report and one from the party’s lawyer, Vaidotas Sviderskis. Sviderskis cited the need for more time due to the volume of documents and the involvement of third parties.

VRK Chair Lina Petronienė told journalists that the commission will now review the case at its July 30 meeting. She confirmed that investigators found Nemuno aušra had received funding from legal entities and through intermediaries, which is prohibited under Lithuanian law. The commission must assess the findings before making a final ruling.

If the violations are confirmed, the party could lose state funding, while Žemaitaitis—though not a state-funded entity—could be ordered to transfer an equivalent sum to the state budget if found to have accepted illegal funds.

A draft VRK resolution proposes recognizing severe violations, including the party’s 2024 parliamentary campaign receiving 24,200 euros from companies Tvari statyba and Lajota via Robertas Puchovicius, as well as 4,500 euros for Žemaitaitis’ presidential campaign from the same source. Additional funds were allegedly channeled through intermediaries, including 5,000 euros from Aleksandras Fursas via Lina Šukytė-Korsakė, who declared it as a personal donation.

The draft also names Robertas Puchovicius’ brother’s business partner, Paulius Kazilionis, and Puchovicius’ parents, Edvardas and Eva Puchovič, for paying party membership fees using Puchovicius’ funds, totaling 4,300 euros.

Commission member Laura Matjošaitytė suggested that in future cases involving extensive investigative reports, VRK should automatically allow more time for review to avoid last-minute requests for delays.