Latest news with #Vilnius
CTV News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Lithuania's prime minister steps down after investigations and protests
Lithuania's Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas speaks to the media at the Parliament in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis, File) VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas stepped down Thursday, following investigations into his business dealings that prompted protests calling for his resignation. Paluckas, a newly established leader of the center-left Social Democrats, ascended to the role late last year after a three-party coalition formed following a parliamentary election in October in Lithuania. His entire Cabinet is also expected to resign, potentially leaving the Baltic country without an effective government weeks before Russia holds joint military exercises with neighboring Belarus. 'Seeing how the scandals are hindering the work of the government, I believe that I cannot allow our ruling coalition and the Cabinet to become hostages to these scandals,' Paluckas wrote in a letter to Social Democratic party members. 'Therefore, I have decided to take a quick and decisive decision. 'I never cling to any position in life — and so I am open to all scenarios and decisions.' President Gitanas Nausėda announced Paluckas' resignation to the media on Thursday morning. Lithuanian foreign policy is unlikely to change as a result of the government shake-up. Nausėda, who was elected separately, is the country's face on the world stage and has been one of the most stalwart supporters of Ukraine's fight against invading Russian forces. Paluckas has recently been dogged by media investigations into his business and financial dealings. Several media outlets published investigations in July regarding Paluckas' past and present ventures and alleged mishandlings, including ones more than a decade ago. Anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies in the country subsequently launched their own inquiries. In a devastating blow to his reputation, the media also revealed that Paluckas never paid a significant part of a 16,500-euro (around $19,000) fine in connection with a 2012 criminal case dubbed the 'rat poison scandal.' Paluckas was convicted of mishandling the bidding process for Vilnius' rat extermination services while serving as the capital city's municipality administration director. In 2012, judges at Lithuania's top court ruled that he abused his official position by illegally granting privileges to the company that offered the highest price in the bid. He was also sentenced to two years behind bars, but the sentence was suspended for one year and he ultimately was never imprisoned. The Social Democratic party leader denied any wrongdoing regarding his business affairs, labeling the criticism as part of a 'coordinated attack' by political opponents. He resigned before the opposition could formally launch impeachment proceedings. New coalition talks are expected to start shortly to form a new Cabinet. Liudas Dapkus, The Associated Press
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Lithuanian Prime Minister Paluckas resigns following protests
Lithuania's Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has stepped down following investigations into his business dealings that prompted protests in the Baltic country's capital calling for his resignation. The country's president, Gitanas Nauseda, announced Paluckas' resignation to the media on Thursday morning. Paluckas confirmed the news in a statement sent by his Social Democrat Party. Paluckas ascended to the role late last year after a three-party coalition formed following parliamentary elections in October. His resignation is now likely to bring down the whole government, with his cabinet expected to also resign. New coalition talks are expected to start soon. Paluckas has faced scandals over his business dealings, including some that occurred more than a decade ago. Media investigations revealed that he had never paid a significant part of a 16,500-euro ($19,000) fine after he was convicted in 2012 of mishandling the bidding process for the capital Vilnius's rat extermination services. Paluckas, at the time, was Vilnius's municipal administration director, and judges ruled that he had abused his official position by illegally granting privileges to the company that offered the highest bid. He was sentenced to two years in prison but was ultimately not imprisoned. Since the media investigations, Lithuania's anticorruption and law enforcement agencies have also launched their probes into Paluckas. He has denied any wrongdoing and instead called the attacks on his business dealings parts of a 'coordinated attack' by political opponents. The resignation of the prime minister comes only weeks before a planned joint military exercise between Lithuania's neighbours, Russia and Belarus, highlighting the precarious position the country finds itself in. In May, Lithuania initiated legal proceedings against Belarus at the International Court of Justice, after it accused the latter of being behind a wave of 'illegal migration' into the country. Lithuania is a member of NATO and was formerly part of the Soviet Union, becoming the first republic to declare independence in 1990, before the world power's collapse the following year. Nauseda, Lithuania's president, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, and the Baltic country has long been fearful of Russian expansionism.
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Lithuania Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas steps down after investigations and protests
VILNIUS: Lithuania Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas stepped down on Thursday following investigations into his business dealings that prompted protests in the Baltic country 's capital calling for his resignation. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced Paluckas' resignation to the media on Thursday morning. A spokesperson for Paluckas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Paluckas, a newly established leader of the center-left Social Democrats, ascended to the role late last year after a three-party coalition formed following parliamentary elections in October. His entire cabinet is now expected also to resign, potentially leaving the country without an effective government weeks before Russia holds joint military exercises with neighboring Belarus. Lithuanian foreign policy is unlikely to change as a result of the government shakeup. Nausėda, who was elected separately, is the country's face on the world stage and has been one of the most stalwart supporters of Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian forces. Paluckas has recently been dogged by media investigations into his business and financial dealings. Several media outlets published investigations in July regarding Paluckas' past and present ventures and alleged mishandlings, including ones more than a decade ago. The Baltic country 's anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies subsequently launched their own probes. In a devastating blow to his reputation, the media also revealed that Paluckas never paid a significant part of a 16,500 euro fine ($19,039) in connection with a 2012 criminal case dubbed the 'rat poison scandal.' Paluckas was convicted of mishandling the bidding process for Vilnius' rat extermination services while serving as the capital city's municipality administration director. Judges for the country's top court in 2012 ruled that he abused his official position by illegally granting privileges to the company that offered the highest price in the bid. He was also sentenced to two years behind bars, but the sentence was suspended for one year and he ultimately was never imprisoned. The Social Democratic party leader denied any wrongdoing regarding his business affairs, labeling the criticism as part of a 'coordinated attack' by political opponents. He resigned before the opposition could formally launch impeachment proceedings. New coalition talks are expected to start shortly to form a new cabinet.
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Lithuania's prime minister resigns
VILNIUS, July 31 (Reuters) - Lithuania's Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has decided to resign from his post, he said in a statement sent by his Social Democrat Party on Thursday. A junior party in Lithuania's government on Wednesday threatened to quit the ruling coalition unless Paluckas resigned over business ties to a company owned by his sister-in-law.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Lithuania Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas steps down after investigations and protests
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas stepped down on Thursday following investigations into his business dealings that prompted protests in the Baltic country's capital calling for his resignation. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced Paluckas' resignation to the media on Thursday morning. Paluckas, who is a Social Democrat, ascended to the role late last year after a three-party coalition formed following parliamentary elections in October.
