Lithuanian Prime Minister Paluckas Resigns Amid Business Scandal, Entire Government Steps Down

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned amid growing scrutiny over his business ties and allegations of conflicts of interest, triggering the automatic resignation of his entire cabinet as mandated by the constitution. Investigations revealed that companies linked to Paluckas and his family benefited from preferential state loans and EU funds, prompting public protests and pressure from coalition partners. President Gitanas Nauseda accepted the resignation and is tasked with appointing an interim prime minister and nominating a candidate to the parliament within 15 days. The Social Democratic Party, which holds the largest parliamentary faction, is expected to nominate a new prime minister soon. The government will continue in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is confirmed, with possible changes to the current coalition. Among potential successors is a young and untainted candidate from Lithuania’s Polish minority, seen as a fresh option to restore political stability.