Vilnius – Lithuanian politics are navigating a complex situation surrounding former Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, who was recently questioned by the Special Investigation Service (STT) as a special witness in a pre-trial investigation concerning abuse of power and illicit enrichment. The Social Democratic Party (LSDP) is grappling with how to respond, with opinions diverging on whether Paluckas should step down from his current role as a member of the Seimas. The situation highlights the challenges facing the party as it seeks to maintain stability amidst scrutiny of a prominent figure.
The STT’s questioning of Paluckas, a former leader of the LSDP, isn’t unexpected, according to Rasa Budbergytė, the party’s vice-chairperson. “He is summoned as a special witness and will follow the procedure,” Budbergytė stated, downplaying the immediate significance of the inquiry. She emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and it’s premature to draw conclusions. Budbergytė also noted that Paluckas holds the same status as Saulius Skvernelis, another former prime minister, in a separate investigation, suggesting this isn’t an isolated incident.
The questioning comes after Paluckas voluntarily appeared before the STT on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, accompanied by his lawyer, Darius Raulušaitis, as reported by Lrytas. He initially declined to comment, stating only, “No comments.” After a two-hour session, Paluckas offered a brief statement, saying the investigation is underway and he is cooperating fully. “We can’t talk about it, the pre-trial investigation is ongoing – we answer what they ask,” he said. He expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved favorably.
Party Divisions and Calls for Resignation
Despite Budbergytė’s measured response, the situation has sparked debate within the Social Democratic Party. While the party’s statutes don’t mandate suspension of membership upon becoming a special witness, Budbergytė expressed hope that Paluckas would act “principally” if formally charged. “He is a former party chairman and he will have to decide for himself – I think G. Paluckas will act principled,” she said.
Though, other voices within the party and beyond are calling for more decisive action. Ramūnas Žemaitaitis, a member of the Seimas, sharply criticized the Social Democrats, stating that he would have removed anyone involved in a similar situation “the second day,” according to Lrytas. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has indicated that Paluckas is free to decide for himself whether to resign his seat in the Seimas, as reported by Delfi.
Paluckas Maintains His Position
Despite the calls for his resignation, Paluckas has indicated he has no intention of stepping down, stating he has not been accused of any wrongdoing. “I am not suspected of anything, I am not accused of anything, therefore I see no reason to stop anything,” he said, as reported by Lrytas. He also briefly returned to the STT building after initially leaving, stating he had forgotten to share additional information.
Paluckas served as Prime Minister of Lithuania from December 2024 until August 2025, succeeding Ingrida Šimonytė and being followed by Rimantas Šadžius (acting) and Inga Ruginienė, according to Simple English Wikipedia. He also previously held the position of Chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 2017 to 2021 and served as Deputy Mayor of Vilnius from 2015 to 2019.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The situation surrounding Gintautas Paluckas and the ongoing STT investigation raises questions about the future of the Social Democratic Party and its leadership. The party’s response will likely be closely watched by both the public and political opponents. The investigation also involves Saulius Skvernelis, who was also questioned as a special witness in a separate corruption case involving the State Plant Service, as reported by Kauno diena.
The next step in this unfolding situation will be the completion of the STT’s investigation. The agency has not provided a timeline for when its findings will be released. Further developments will depend on the evidence gathered and any potential charges that may be filed. The Social Democratic Party will likely continue to monitor the situation closely and reassess its position as more information becomes available.
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