On July 31st, 2025, Prime Minister – Gintautas Paluckas – has announced that he is stepping down from his position as head of government and from the leadership of the Social Democratic Party. 

The announcement follows a period of public discussion and institutional scrutiny regarding his business activities, as well as developments inside the ruling coalition. In his statement, Mr. Paluckas said that the circumstances surrounding the government had begun to interfere with its ability to operate effectively and that his resignation was intended to allow the administration to function without distraction.

The decision comes after several weeks of debate within the governing coalition. One of the coalition’s junior partners had called for a change in leadership, signaling that it might withdraw its support unless a transition took place. This created uncertainty around the government’s majority in parliament and prompted discussions about the future composition of the cabinet. Mr. Paluckas’s departure has therefore become a focal point for wider negotiations on the stability of the coalition and the direction of government policy in the coming months.

In his public remarks, Mr. Paluckas did not address specific allegations in detail but stated that he had carried out his responsibilities as prime minister to the best of his ability. He added that the combination of investigations, political debate and media attention was making it difficult for the government to carry on its work. According to his statement, resigning was the most practical step to ensure continuity of governance during a period of heightened attention on the administration.

The entire cabinet is expected to submit its resignation at a government meeting scheduled for August 4. This will formally trigger the process of forming a new government. Discussions are already under way within the Social Democratic Party and among other coalition members to determine who will be nominated as the next head of government. Several names are being mentioned in political circles, though no official candidate has yet been announced. The president has said that the country’s policy direction, including its positions in international affairs, will remain consistent during the transition period.

The change in leadership is taking place at a time when regional security remains a key issue for Lithuania. Recent reports of activity near the country’s borders have kept questions of defense and stability high on the national agenda. Against this backdrop, the focus in the coming days will be on forming a functioning government that can maintain continuity in both domestic and foreign policy while addressing internal political dynamics.

Learn more