Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said Gintautas Paluckas, who is under investigation by law enforcement, must decide himself whether to continue working with the Social Democratic Party caucus in the parliament.
"I believe this is Gintautas Paluckas' own decision, and for now, we must trust the law enforcement agencies. It is very important to wait for the investigation results before making assessments and decisions," Ruginienė told reporters.
Last week, the Prosecutor General announced that she would ask parliament to strip the former social democrat prime minister, Paluckas, of his immunity to bring charges of illicit enrichment.
Ruginienė described the procedure as "very normal" and expressed hope that her political ally would not obstruct the investigation.
According to officials, Paluckas and his wife may have acquired assets worth approximately 344,600 euros – including cars, real estate and securities between 2010 and 2024 – using funds of unclear origin.
On Tuesday, the politician sold a 51 percent stake in the Vilnius-based company Emus to co-owner Mindaugas Milašauskas.
The Prosecutor's Office has also seized two apartments in Vilnius belonging to Paluckas and his spouse, though other family assets have not been frozen yet.
Paluckas denies the allegations and has suspended his membership in the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party. Party leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius has suggested that Paluckas could remain in the parliamentary caucus.
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