Robert Duchniewicz, a young politician of Polish origin, serving as mayor of the Vilnius region and vice-president of the Lithuanian Social Democratic organization (LSDP), became 1 of 4 candidates for the position of Prime Minister of Lithuania.
Pole can become Prime Minister of Lithuania
– 34-year-old Duchniewicz among the names mentioned is the youngest, there is not much administrative experience, and the major position of the mayor of the Vilnius region has only been for 2 years – described Antoni Radchenko, editor of the paper "Kurier Wilenski", which quotes RMF FM on the basis of PAP's dispatch.
– Young, ambitious, efficient, uninvolved in any scandal, without alleged corpses in the closet: these features in the current situation, erstwhile we have a prime minister active in corruption, receding in the atmosphere of scandals, are very important," said Radchenko.
The writer emphasized that Duchniewicz openly emphasizes his Polish background – he graduated from the Polish school and actively supports the rights of the Polish minority. According to Wikipedia, he is besides a associate of the Polish Discuss Club. He is seen primarily as a politician active at national level, not only as a typical of national minorities.
The erstwhile Prime Minister of Livy was "dembed" by rats
What is happening in Lithuania? A fewer days ago, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned from his post after investigations into his business activities sparked protests and force on his departure, as reported, among others, by the AP agency.
Paluckas, who took office at the end of last year as the centre-left leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, headed the government appointed after the parliamentary elections held in October.
In a letter to members of the Paluckas party, he acknowledged that he did not want the government to become a "betrayer of scandals" and announced swift and decisive action. He stressed that he was not attached to the position and was open to different scenarios.
The Prime Minister's problems arise from many media reports on his past and current interests. In July, respective editorial offices published reports indicating irregularities, including from a decade ago. Lithuanian anti-corruption and law enforcement services besides dealt with the case.
In particular, the media revealed that Paluckas did not full regulate a punishment of about $19,000, linked to the 2012 scandal, called "a rat poison scandal".
The Prime Minister was convicted of abuse of his position erstwhile he served as manager of Vilnius City Administration – he wrongly favoured the company that won the tender for deportation. Although he was sentenced to 2 years in prison, the punishment was suspended and did not go to prison. Paluckas rejects the charges, naming them as a "coordinated attack" of political opponents.