Lithuania: Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas Resigns

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has officially submitted his resignation, as previously announced. The country's president, Gitanas Nausėda, appointed Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius as interim prime minister until a new government is formed.

Paluckas' resignation comes amid pressure due to business ties with a company owned by his sister-in-law and an ongoing investigation into the matter. Paluckas also resigned as head of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP). The LSDP is expected to choose his successor on Wednesday.

Local media reported an investigation by the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) into the offices of Dankora, a company owned by Paluckas' sister-in-law. The company used EU funds to purchase battery systems from Garnis, a company partly owned by Paluckas. An investigation into the case is ongoing.

Paluckas denies the charges, calling them political attacks. Parliament is expected to meet on September 10 to approve the new prime minister.

Source: cnn.gr