Lithuanian PM Candidate Dodges Questions Amidst Controversy
Opposition calls for transparency regarding property and loan details.
Facing scrutiny over business dealings, potential Lithuanian Prime Minister **Gintautas Paluckas** is under pressure to address questions regarding his past ventures. Opposition leaders are suggesting interpellation if answers remain elusive.
Calls for Transparency
**I. Šimonytė** stated on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) that “the main problem of any politician is not to answer the questions and that is Mr. **Paluck** and he does. He wants to not answer questions.”
**Šimonytė** believes that if **Paluck** provided full transparency regarding his companies, investors, property purchases, and funding sources, his situation would improve. She noted his reluctance to address concerns raised by the opposition and the media, suggesting that interpellation in the Seimas (Parliament) could compel him to provide answers.
According to Transparency International, 49% of people think levels of corruption increased in the previous 12 months (Transparency International 2023).
Details of the Investigation
The Special Investigation Service (STT) is currently conducting a pre-trial investigation into **Paluck**’s businesses, while the State Tax Inspectorate (STI) will evaluate new details emerging from a journalistic study. The probe centers around Sagerta, a company **Paluck** acquired in 2013, which developed a topography application of lakes.
Sagerta received over 233,000 litas in shareholder loans despite being loss-making. While **Paluck** was listed as the sole shareholder, he did not declare these loans in his asset and interest declarations. The funds were allegedly provided by businessman **Darijus Vilčinskas**’s company, UNDING.
In 2015, after **Paluck** became the Vice-Mayor of Vilnius, he transferred 45% of the company shares to Uni Trading. **Vilčinskas** denies being the actual owner of Uni Trading or **Paluck**’s financial source. **Paluck** claims he was unaware of who controlled the company and the annual loans provided to his business.
Controversial Connections
**Paluck**’s ties to **Vilčinskas** extend beyond Sagerta. While serving as Vice-Mayor of Vilnius, **Paluck** approved a $6 million transaction involving VIPC Vilnius, a company linked to **Vilčinskas**, for the transfer of the Trade Union House for public purposes.
In 2012, **Paluck** purchased housing worth 223,000 EUR from **Vilčinskas**’s company in the Verkiai Regional Park, a transaction he failed to declare in his 2013 property and interest declarations.
As scrutiny intensifies, the pressure mounts on **Paluck** to address the outstanding questions. The possibility of interpellation looms, potentially forcing him to provide answers in the Seimas.
