Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Lithuanian Prime Minister Steps Down


(MENAFN) Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas announced his resignation on Thursday, stepping down both as head of government and as leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party.

"I informed the president ... that I took the decision to resign from my duties as the prime minister," Paluckas said in a statement.

The decision precedes a scheduled vote by the party's executive board and follows mounting pressure from Saulius Skvernelis, the speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) and head of the Democratic Union "For Lithuania." Skvernelis had threatened to pull his party from the ruling coalition if Paluckas remained in power.

According to the Lithuanian Constitution, the prime minister’s resignation triggers the automatic dissolution of the entire cabinet.

On Thursday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda endorsed Paluckas’ move, calling it "the only right choice."

Paluckas exits office amid ongoing investigations into his financial activities, alleged unethical business ties, and unpaid compensation owed to the Vilnius municipality.

Despite the allegations, Paluckas has denied any misconduct, labeling the accusations a "coordinated attack" by his political rivals.

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