Gintautas Paluckas

Gintautas Paluckas was born on 19 August 1979 in Panevėžys.{{cite web |title=2024 parliamentary elections. Candidate biography: Gintautas PALUCKAS. |url=https://www.vrk.lt/kandidatai-kandidatu-sarasai-2024-sei?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1544/rnk1870/kandidatai/KandidatasBiografija_rkndId-2437189.html |publisher=Central Election Commission |language=lt |date=2024}} His father worked as an engineer and his mother as an economist.{{cite web |title=2020 parliamentary elections. Candidate biography: Gintautas PALUCKAS. |url=https://www.vrk.lt/en/2020-sei/kandidatai?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1104/rnk1424/kandidatai/lrsKandidatasBiografija_rkndId-2418930.html |publisher=Central Election Commission |language=lt |date=2020}} In 1997 Paluckas graduated from Panevėžys J. Balčikonis Gymnasium. From 2000 to 2001 he studied English at a language school in London.{{cite news |title=LSDP partijos pirmininku išsirinko Gintautą Palucką |url=https://alkas.lt/2017/04/22/lsdp-partijos-pirmininku-issirinko-gintauta-palucka/ |work=Alkas.lt |date=22 April 2017 |language=lt |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213013144/https://alkas.lt/2017/04/22/lsdp-partijos-pirmininku-issirinko-gintauta-palucka/ |url-status=live }} In 2003, he graduated from the Vilnius University Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, and from International Business School in 2004. Starting that year, he studied at VU Faculty of Law.{{cite news |last1=Platūkytė |first1=Domantė |title=Nupiešė Palucko portretą: ir aukštas, ir gražus, bet politiko gyslelės nėra |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2402298/nupiese-palucko-portreta-ir-aukstas-ir-grazus-bet-politiko-gysleles-nera |work=lrt.lt |date=31 October 2024 |language=lt |archive-date=7 December 2024 |access-date=1 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207111520/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2402298/nupiese-palucko-portreta-ir-aukstas-ir-grazus-bet-politiko-gysleles-nera |url-status=live }}

For a brief period in his youth,{{when|date=November 2024}} Paluckas belonged to the {{ill|Young Conservative League|lt|Jaunųjų konservatorių lyga}}, the youth wing of the Homeland Union.{{cite news |last1=Skėrytė |first1=Jūratė |title=Prezidentas Seimui teiks G. Palucko kandidatūrą į Vyriausybės vadovus |url=https://bns.lt/naujiena/prezidentas-seimui-teiks-g-palucko-kandidatura-i-vyriausybes-vadovus-6flin7x2 |work=bns.lt |date=18 November 2024 |language=lt |archive-date=6 December 2024 |access-date=22 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206180307/https://bns.lt/naujiena/prezidentas-seimui-teiks-g-palucko-kandidatura-i-vyriausybes-vadovus-6flin7x2 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Lėka |first1=Aušra |title=Koks bus Gintautas Pirmasis |url=https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/koks-bus-gintautas-pirmasis-1198589 |publisher=Kauno diena |language=lt |date=6 November 2024 |access-date=24 November 2024 |archive-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203035727/https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/koks-bus-gintautas-pirmasis-1198589 |url-status=live }} Since 2003, he has been a member of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP).

From 2003 to 2005 he served as the Chief Specialist at the Lithuanian {{ill|State Social Insurance Fund Board|lt=social insurance institution|lt|Valstybinio socialinio draudimo fondas}} (Sodra). Starting in 2005 he served as the Assistant to European Parliament member Justas Paleckis. From 2007 to 2009 he was Director of Administration of the Vilnius city municipality.

From 2013 Paluckas was Executive Secretary of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, Member of the LSDP Council and Board.

From 2015 to 2019 Paluckas served as Deputy Mayor of Vilnius. During the peak of the 2015 European migrant crisis, he proposed that the city consider forming Arabic-language kindergarten groups to accommodate incoming refugees.{{cite news |title=Vilnius Vice-Mayor proposes Arabic-language groups in kindergartens |url=https://www.baltictimes.com/vilnius_vice-mayor_proposes_arabic-language_groups_in_kindergartens/ |work=The Baltic Times |date=4 September 2015}}

In 2017 Paluckas won the leadership election of the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania after defeating then-Minister of Economy Mindaugas Sinkevičius in a run-off.{{cite news |title=Paluckas, Sinkevičius qualify for 2nd round of SocDem leader election |url=https://lithuaniatribune.com/paluckas-sinkevicius-qualify-for-2nd-round-of-socdem-leader-election/ |work=The Lithuania Tribune |date=10 April 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201164638/https://lithuaniatribune.com/paluckas-sinkevicius-qualify-for-2nd-round-of-socdem-leader-election/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Vilnius vice-mayor Paluckas elected as Lithuania's SocDem Party leader |url=https://lithuaniatribune.com/vilnius-vice-mayor-paluckas-elected-as-lithuanias-socdem-party-leader/ |work=The Lithuania Tribune |date=24 April 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201122053/https://lithuaniatribune.com/vilnius-vice-mayor-paluckas-elected-as-lithuanias-socdem-party-leader/ |url-status=live }} During the election, Paluckas emphasized renewal of the party and restoration of social democratic values, and criticized the party's decision to form a coalition with the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.{{cite web |last1=Želnienė |first1=Liepa |title=Socialdemokratų pirmininko rinkimus laimėjo Gintautas Paluckas |url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/socialdemokratu-pirmininko-rinkimuose-pirmauja-gintautas-paluckas-56-787040 |website=15min.lt |language=lt |date=22 April 2017 |access-date=15 December 2024 |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215120405/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/socialdemokratu-pirmininko-rinkimuose-pirmauja-gintautas-paluckas-56-787040 |url-status=live }} Under Paluckas's leadership, the party announced a renewal{{cite web |title=LSDP- Mes keičiamės |url=https://www.lsdp.lt/keiciames/ |website=LSDP |language=Lithuanian |date=2017 |access-date=15 December 2024 |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718040012/https://www.lsdp.lt/keiciames/ |url-status=live }} and introduced a new party program, in which it affirmed commitment to progressive taxation, encouragement of worker cooperatives, women's rights and LGBT rights, and support for NATO and the European Union, while at the same time opposing European austerity policies.{{cite web |last1=Baranovas |first1=Ruslanas |author-link1=Ruslanas Baranovas |title=Ar LSDP užteks grįžimo prie socialdemokratinių vertybių? |url=http://www.satenai.lt/2018/12/21/ar-lsdp-uzteks-grizimo-prie-socialdemokratiniu-vertybiu/ |website=Šiaurės Atėnai |language=Lithuanian |date=21 December 2018 |access-date=15 December 2024 |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215120423/http://www.satenai.lt/2018/12/21/ar-lsdp-uzteks-grizimo-prie-socialdemokratiniu-vertybiu/ |url-status=live }} Paluckas's opponent Mindaugas Sinkevičius filed a complaint on the leadership election due to alleged violations in the Molėtai party section, as well as alleged suspicions of electoral fraud in Pasvalys, Akmenė, Vilkaviškis and Raseiniai.{{cite news |title=Socialdemokratai išrinko pirmininką: juo tapo G. Paluckas |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/170505/socialdemokratai-isrinko-pirmininka-juo-tapo-g-paluckas |work=lrt.lt |date=22 April 2017 |language=lt |archive-date=30 November 2024 |access-date=15 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130065644/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/170505/socialdemokratai-isrinko-pirmininka-juo-tapo-g-paluckas |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Samoškaitė |first1=Eglė |title=Prasidėjo kova be taisyklių LSDP: prašo panaikinti kai kuriuos rezultatus |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/170513/prasidejo-kova-be-taisykliu-lsdp-praso-panaikinti-kai-kuriuos-rezultatus |work=lrt.lt |date=22 April 2017 |language=lt |trans-title=The fight without rules at the LSDP: the cancellation of some results is demanded |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=15 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213132702/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/170513/prasidejo-kova-be-taisykliu-lsdp-praso-panaikinti-kai-kuriuos-rezultatus |url-status=live }}

After the leadership election of the LSDP, the party decided to leave the ruling coalition via a survey of all its members. A majority of the LSDP's Seimas members left the party to form a new one, the Social Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania (LSDDP), and remained in the ruling coalition.{{cite news|url=https://www.baltictimes.com/breakaway_socdems_spread_message_to_europe_about__radical_left__in_lithuania/|title=Breakaway SocDems spread message to Europe about "radical left" in Lithuania|publisher=The Baltic Times|date=29 November 2017|archive-date=18 June 2024|access-date=1 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618052533/http://www.baltictimes.com/breakaway_socdems_spread_message_to_europe_about__radical_left__in_lithuania/|url-status=live}} According to former party leader and Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius, Paluckas began to divide his own and foreign members, and then split the party and monitored those who supported his party rival Mindaugas Sinkevičius in the election for party leader.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-31 |title=Nupiešė Palucko portretą: ir aukštas, ir gražus, bet politiko gyslelės nėra |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2402298/nupiese-palucko-portreta-ir-aukstas-ir-grazus-bet-politiko-gysleles-nera |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=lrt.lt |language=lt}}

Paluckas was reelected as leader of the party in 2019.{{cite news |title=Paluckas re-elected to leadership of Lithuanian Social Democratic Party |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1054191/paluckas-re-elected-to-leadership-of-lithuanian-social-democratic-party |work=lrt.lt |date=29 April 2019 |language=en |archive-date=26 November 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126232316/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1054191/paluckas-re-elected-to-leadership-of-lithuanian-social-democratic-party |url-status=live }}

In 2019, Paluckas ran in a parliamentary by-election in the Žirmūnai constituency of Vilnius. This parliamentary seat had been occupied by Aušra Maldeikienė, but was vacated following her election to the European Parliament.{{cite news |last1=Skėrytė |first1=Jūratė |title=Paluckas kandidatuos į Seimą Žirmūnų apygardoje |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1068815/paluckas-kandidatuos-i-seima-zirmunu-apygardoje |work=lrt.lt |date=12 June 2019 |language=lt |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213112833/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/1068815/paluckas-kandidatuos-i-seima-zirmunu-apygardoje |url-status=live }} Paulė Kuzmickienė won with 52.03% of the vote, compared to Paluckas's 46.98%. Paluckas blamed his loss on low voter turnout.{{cite news |title=Lithuanian SocDem leader blames election defeat on low turnout |url=https://www.baltictimes.com/lithuanian_socdem_leader_blames_election_defeat_on_low_turnout/ |work=The Baltic Times |date=23 September 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417192948/https://www.baltictimes.com/lithuanian_socdem_leader_blames_election_defeat_on_low_turnout/ |url-status=live }}

In 2020 Paluckas was elected to the Lithuanian parliament as the leader of the party. He finished second in the single-member constituency of Utena,{{cite web |title=2020 m. spalio 25 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo rinkimai (II turas) — Utenos (Nr.51) apygarda |url=https://www.vrk.lt/2020-seimo/rezultatai?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1104/2/1744/rezultatai/lt/rezultataiVienmRpg_rpgId-20696.html |publisher=Central Election Commission |language=lt |date=2020 |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323224631/https://www.vrk.lt/2020-seimo/rezultatai?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1104/2/1744/rezultatai/lt/rezultataiVienmRpg_rpgId-20696.html |url-status=live }} following a recount due to receiving exactly the same number of votes as his opponent in the initial tally.{{cite news |title=Two Lithuanian candidates tied after receiving exact same number of votes |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1261467/two-lithuanian-candidates-tied-after-receiving-exact-same-number-of-votes |work=lrt.lt |date=26 October 2020 |language=en |archive-date=27 November 2024 |access-date=7 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127005334/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1261467/two-lithuanian-candidates-tied-after-receiving-exact-same-number-of-votes |url-status=live }} Nonetheless, Paluckas secured a seat in the nationwide constituency using proportional representation.{{cite web |title=Išrinkti Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo nariais 2020–2024 |url=https://www.vrk.lt/2020-seimo/rezultatai?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1104/2/1744/rezultatai/lt/rezultataiIsrinktiNariai.html |publisher=Central Election Commission |language=lt |date=2020 |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204934/https://www.vrk.lt/2020-seimo/rezultatai?srcUrl=%2Frinkimai%2F1104%2F2%2F1744%2Frezultatai%2Flt%2FrezultataiIsrinktiNariai.html |url-status=live }} However, following the 2020 parliamentary election, in which the LSDP saw a reduction in its seats—from seventeen to thirteen—Paluckas was challenged over the party's performance.{{Cite news|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/lietuva/socialdemokratu-partijos-pirmininkas-g-paluckas-atsistatydina-56-1444192?utm_medium=copied|title = Partijos bendražygiai apie G. Palucko atsistatydinimą: buvo padaryta labai daug klaidų|date=22 January 2021|first1=Beatričė|last1=Bankauskaitė|first2=Jūratė |last2=Skėrytė|language=lt|publisher=15min.lt}} He also faced criticism over his decision to support the Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union candidates in the second round of elections.{{cn|date=November 2024}} Initially, he stated his willingness to take part in the leadership elections of 2021.

On 22 January 2021, Paluckas resigned from his position as leader of the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, responding to the party council's assessment that the 2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election results were unsatisfactory and that his leadership did not meet the expected standards.{{Cite news|url=https://m.delfi.lt/lietuvoje/article.php?id=86304401|title=Paluckas atsistatydino iš LSDP pirmininko pareigų|date=22 January 2021|publisher=Delfi.lt|language=lt|archive-date=25 January 2021|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125113755/https://m.delfi.lt/lietuvoje/article.php?id=86304401|url-status=live}}

Paluckas, the Deputy Leader of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), participated in the 2024 Lithuanian parliamentary election. He finished third in the single-member constituency of Utena,{{cite web |title=2024 m. spalio 13 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo rinkimai (I turas) |url=https://www.vrk.lt/en/2024-seimo/rezultatai?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1544/1/2150/rezultatai/en/rezultataiVienmRpg_rpgId-24058.html |publisher=Central Election Commission |date=2024}} and Paluckas secured a seat in the Seimas through the proportional representation system, drawing on his position in the LSDP's candidate list.{{cite web |title=Išrinkti Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo nariais 2024–2028 |url=https://www.vrk.lt/2024-seimo/rezultatai?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1544/2/2148/rezultatai/lt/rezultataiIsrinktiNariai.html |publisher=Central Election Commission |language=lt |date=2024}}

On 30 October 2024, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced at a press conference that she would not be the party's candidate for Prime Minister. Blinkevičiūtė disclosed that the party's presidium had decided to propose Paluckas as the nominee for the office of Prime Minister of Lithuania.{{cite news |last1=Jochecová |first1=Ketrin |title=Lithuanian election winner rejects PM role |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/lithuania-election-winner-refuses-prime-minister-vilija-blinkeviciute/ |work=POLITICO |date=30 October 2024 |archive-date=30 October 2024 |access-date=31 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241030201914/https://www.politico.eu/article/lithuania-election-winner-refuses-prime-minister-vilija-blinkeviciute/ |url-status=live }}

Throughout the campaign, Blinkevičiūtė had indicated her interest in assuming the Prime Minister role if her party succeeded. However, at the press conference, she cited personal considerations, including age and health, as factors influencing her decision to step back from the role. She confirmed her intention to complete her term as a Member of the European Parliament, which extends to 2029.

The Social Democratic Party presidium unanimously decided to nominate Paluckas. According to Blinkevičiūtė, Paluckas was selected because of his extensive experience in both local government and national politics. Additionally, it was noted that Paluckas had received significant public support, with 60,000 Lithuanian residents voting for him.{{cite web |title=LSDP prezidiumas teikia Gintauto Palucko kandidatūrą į LR Ministro pirmininko pareigas |url=https://www.lsdp.lt/straipsniai/partijos-naujienos/lsdp-prezidiumas-teikia-gintauto-palucko-kandidatura-i-lr-ministro-pirmininko-pareigas/ |website=Lithuanian Social Democratic Party |language=lt |date=31 October 2024}} According to official election data, Paluckas received 58,827 first-place votes, placing him second on the party list, following Blinkevičiūtė, who led with 91,526 votes, and ahead of Juozas Olekas, who ranked third with 48,470 votes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vrk.lt/2024-seimo/rezultatai?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1544/1/2150/rezultatai/lt/rezultataiDaugmPartPirmVrt_rorgId-34666.html|title = 2024 m. spalio 13 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Seimo rinkimai (I turas). Lietuvos socialdemokratų partija Pirmumo balsai|language=lt|publisher=Central Election Commission|date=2024}}

During the same press event, Paluckas announced his intention to proceed with consultations regarding the formation of a centre-left coalition. He confirmed plans to continue discussions with political groups previously dismissed by Blinkevičiūtė, including the nationalist Dawn of Nemunas Party.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2401641/paluckas-socdemai-del-koalicijos-konsultuosis-ir-su-liberalais-bei-ausrieciais|title = Paluckas: socdemai dėl koalicijos konsultuosis ir su liberalais bei "aušriečiais"|last=Stankevičius|first=Augustas|date=30 October 2024|publisher=lrt.lt|language=lt}}

President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed that he was informed in advance about Blinkevičiūtė's decision not to submit her candidacy. Nausėda also confirmed that he was aware of the circumstances that could prevent Blinkevičiūtė from holding the position of Prime Minister. Nausėda refused to name these circumstances, stating that it would be unethical.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2401095/dramos-atomazga-blinkeviciute-premjere-nebus-socdemai-teikia-palucka|title=Dramos atomazga: Blinkevičiūtė premjere nebus, socdemai teikia Palucką|publisher=lrt.lt|date=30 October 2024|last=Samoškaitė|first=Eglė|language=lt|archive-date=2 November 2024|access-date=2 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102013920/https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2401095/dramos-atomazga-blinkeviciute-premjere-nebus-socdemai-teikia-palucka|url-status=live}}

In addition to his political career, Gintautas Paluckas has been actively involved in various social and community initiatives. He has championed causes related to education, social welfare, and environmental sustainability. Paluckas has also been a vocal advocate for digital innovation and modernization within government services, aiming to improve efficiency and accessibility for all citizens. His efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in public administration have earned him recognition both locally and internationally.{{Cite news |last=Jegelevicius |first=Linas |date=2022-05-12 |title=MP Gintautas Paluckas: "Lithuania's recent foreign policy decisions were inadequate not because they were too 'tough', but because these decisions were absolutely reactionary" |url=https://www.baltictimes.com/mp_gintautas_paluckas___lithuania_s_recent_foreign_policy_decisions_were_inadequate_not_because_they_were_too__tough___but_because_these_decisions_were_absolutely_reactionary_/ |work=The Baltic page |pages=1}}

On 31 October, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė stated that Paluckas lacks sufficient experience within the executive branch. Šimonytė further commented that Paluckas has limited experience, predominantly gained while working in the Vilnius city municipality administration. She also highlighted that Paluckas has a criminal conviction related to abuse of public office.{{Cite news|url=https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/i-simonyte-sukritikavo-g-palucko-kandidatura-teistas-1198230|title=I. Šimonytė sukritikavo G. Palucko kandidatūrą: teistas|language=lt|date=31 October 2024|first=Gailė|last=Jaruševičiūtė-Mockuvienė|newspaper=Kauno diena|archive-date=30 November 2024|access-date=2 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130144150/https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/i-simonyte-sukritikavo-g-palucko-kandidatura-teistas-1198230|url-status=live}} On 30 October, Speaker of the Seimas Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen expressed that Blinkevičiūtė's nomination decision was unacceptable, as it undermines the trust in commitments made during the electoral campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/liberalu-lydere-v-blinkeviciutes-sprendima-vadina-nepriimtinais-politiniais-virazais-1198089|title=Liberalų lyderė V. Blinkevičiūtės sprendimą vadina nepriimtinais politiniais viražais|newspaper=Kauno diena|date=30 October 2024|first=Paulius|last=Perminas|language=lt|access-date=2 November 2024|archive-date=17 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217003837/https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/lietuva/politika/liberalu-lydere-v-blinkeviciutes-sprendima-vadina-nepriimtinais-politiniais-virazais-1198089|url-status=live}}

Linas Kukuraitis, representing the Union of Democrats "For Lithuania", commended Paluckas on his professionalism and commitment to political dialogue, as well as his ties with nongovernmental organizations and trade unions in Lithuania. Paluckas was also praised by Remigijus Motuzas, speaking for the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, stating that "with his persistent work in the Seimas during the last parliamentary term, he has clearly demonstrated that, even in opposition, it is possible to do a lot of things and to implement one's own priorities".{{cite web |last1=Platukytė |first1=Domanta |last2=Narkūnas |first2=Vilius |title=Oficialu: Paluckas tapo naujuoju Lietuvos premjeru |url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2418946/oficialu-paluckas-tapo-naujuoju-lietuvos-premjeru |language=lt |date=21 November 2024}}

On 21 November, Paluckas was nominated as the Prime Minister by the Seimas, with 88 votes in favor – all members of parliament of the coalition, as well as Artūras Zuokas and Vitalijus Šeršniovas.

On 7 December 2010, the First District Court of the city of Vilnius found Paluckas guilty of abuse of office and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment with a one-year suspension, ordering him not to leave his place of residence for more than seven days without the consent of the institution supervising the suspension of the sentence. The court found that Paluckas had abused office during the public tender for rodent extermination services in Vilnius. Paluckas was ordered to pay over fifty-seven thousand litas damage to Vilnius city municipality.{{Cite web|url=https://m.kauno.diena.lt/naujienos/vilnius/miesto-pulsas/gpaluckas-lieka-nuteistas-del-piktnaudziavimo-324867|title = G. Paluckas lieka nubaustas dėl piktnaudžiavimo|newspaper=Kauno diena|date=4 April 2012|language=lt}}

In 2012 the verdict by the First District Court of the city of Vilnius was upheld by the final and unappealable decision of the Supreme Court of Lithuania First District Court of the city of Vilnius: Paluckas was found guilty of abuse of office in a non-transparent public procurement tender.{{cite web|url=https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/nusikaltimaiirnelaimes/auksciausiojo-teismo-smugis-gintautui-paluckui-buves-vilniaus-savivaldybes-administracijos-direktorius-nuteistas-ziurkiu-byloje-59-208491|title=Aukščiausiojo Teismo smūgis Gintautui Paluckui – buvęs Vilniaus savivaldybės administracijos direktorius nuteistas "žiurkių byloje"|first=Saulius|last=Chadasevičius|date=3 April 2012|language=lt|publisher=15min.lt|access-date=7 November 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228043432/https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/nusikaltimaiirnelaimes/auksciausiojo-teismo-smugis-gintautui-paluckui-buves-vilniaus-savivaldybes-administracijos-direktorius-nuteistas-ziurkiu-byloje-59-208491|url-status=live}}

In February 2018, the Central Electoral Commission investigated claims that Gintautas Paluckas's brother Danas, then serving on the Palanga City Council, had been convicted of a crime in Italy in 2006 but had failed to declare this fact when running for office.{{cite news |title=Atliktas tarnybinis patikrinimas dėl Palangos miesto savivaldybės tarybos nario Dano Palucko teistumo |url=https://www.vrk.lt/2018naujienos/-/content/10180/19/atliktas-tarnybinis-patikrinimas-del-palangos-miesto-savivaldybes-tarybos-nario-palucko-teistumo |publisher=Central Election Commission |date=5 March 2018 |language=lt |archive-date=18 March 2019 |access-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318173300/https://www.vrk.lt/2018naujienos/-/content/10180/19/atliktas-tarnybinis-patikrinimas-del-palangos-miesto-savivaldybes-tarybos-nario-palucko-teistumo |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=G. Palucko brolio karjerą Lietuvoje griauna senos nuodėmės Italijoje |url=https://www.lrytas.lt/lietuvosdiena/aktualijos/2018/02/14/news/g-palucko-brolio-karjera-lietuvoje-griauna-senos-nuodemes-italijoje-4660684 |work=Lrytas.lt |date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=12 November 2024 |access-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112084456/https://www.lrytas.lt/lietuvosdiena/aktualijos/2018/02/14/news/g-palucko-brolio-karjera-lietuvoje-griauna-senos-nuodemes-italijoje-4660684 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Tvaskienė |first1=Jurga |title=A spider's web none dared touch for a decade: how MG Baltic aimed to conquer the country |url=https://lithuaniatribune.com/a-spiders-web-none-dared-touch-for-a-decade-how-mg-baltic-aimed-to-conquer-the-country/ |work=The Lithuania Tribune |date=9 May 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Jegelevičius |first1=Linas |title=Lithuania's intelligence: Liberal party was the Trojan Horse of business giant MG Baltic |url=https://bnn-news.com/lithuania-s-intelligence-liberal-party-was-the-trojan-horse-of-business-giant-mg-baltic-184445 |work=Baltic News Network |date=10 May 2018 |archive-date=12 November 2024 |access-date=12 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112084519/https://bnn-news.com/lithuania-s-intelligence-liberal-party-was-the-trojan-horse-of-business-giant-mg-baltic-184445 |url-status=live }} As a result, Danas Paluckas was stripped of his mandate, but denied any wrongdoing. Later in 2018 it was revealed by the State Security Department of Lithuania that the MG Baltic business group had fabricated the Italy story as disinformation in order to smear Gintautas Paluckas by association, allegedly because the company was dissatisfied with his leadership of the LSDP.

In October 2024, an investigation conducted by Linas Jegelevičius for the regional newspaper Palangos tiltas revealed that Palanga City Council member Svetlana Tučkė held the position of Seimas assistant for two different members of the Lithuanian Parliament: Gintautas Paluckas and {{ill|Tomas Bičiūnas|lt}}. From November 2020 to January 2021, Tučkė, a fellow member of the Social Democratic Party, was employed as an assistant to Paluckas with a workload of 125%. From January 2021 Tučkė worked full-time for Paluckas and 25%-time for Bičiūnas; at the same time, she served as a member of the Palanga City Council.{{Cite web|url=https://www.palangostiltas.lt/palangos+miesto+tarybos+nare+svetlana+tucke+viena+sedyne+beveik+du+metus+tarnavo+dviem+seimo+nariams+gintautui+paluckui+ir+tomui+biciunui,7,2,19387.html|title = Palangos miesto Tarybos narė Svetlana Tučkė viena sėdyne beveik du metus tarnavo dviem Seimo nariams, Gintautui Paluckui ir Tomui Bičiūnui|publisher=Palangos tiltas|first=Linas|last=Jegelevičius|date=8 October 2024|language=lt}}

In November 2024, the Baltic News Service (BNS) published investigations into the companies Garnis and Emus, both jointly owned by Paluckas and Mindaugas Milašauskas. BNS revealed that the battery storage company Garnis, in which Paluckas holds a 49% stake, purchases lithium iron phosphate batteries from China.{{cite news |last1=Gaidamavičius |first1=Giedrius |title=Lithuanian would-be PM's company buys lithium batteries from China |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2406891/lithuanian-would-be-pm-s-company-buys-lithium-batteries-from-china |work=lrt.lt |date=6 November 2024 |language=en |archive-date=6 November 2024 |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106121118/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2406891/lithuanian-would-be-pm-s-company-buys-lithium-batteries-from-china |url-status=live }} Garnis CEO Andrius Aglinskas stated that the company's products are still in a prototype phase, but did not rule out that the final product could incorporate batteries from China due to the lack of European-made equivalents. The home appliance company Emus, in which Paluckas holds a 51% stake, aims to implement a "zero China policy", but imports some components from China, allegedly accounting for under 1% of its raw material purchases.{{cite news |last1=Gaidamavičius |first1=Giedrius |title=Lithuanian would-be PM's business says it has no stake in China policy change |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2405914/lithuanian-would-be-pm-s-business-says-it-has-no-stake-in-china-policy-change |work=lrt.lt |date=5 November 2024 |language=en |archive-date=12 November 2024 |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112214124/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2405914/lithuanian-would-be-pm-s-business-says-it-has-no-stake-in-china-policy-change |url-status=live }} The reports emerged shortly after Paluckas had announced his intention to normalize China-Lithuania relations, which had been severed by China due to the previous Lithuanian government's support for opening a Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius.{{cite news |last1=Jakučionis |first1=Saulius |title=Lithuania's presumptive PM vows to restore ties with China |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2402538/lithuania-s-presumptive-pm-vows-to-restore-ties-with-china |work=lrt.lt |date=31 October 2024 |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2024 |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110184644/https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2402538/lithuania-s-presumptive-pm-vows-to-restore-ties-with-china |url-status=live }}

Gintautas Paluckas is married to Ilma Paluckė.{{cite web |title=2024 parliamentary elections. Candidate's declared private interests: Gintautas PALUCKAS. |url=https://www.vrk.lt/kandidatai-kandidatu-sarasai-2024-sei?srcUrl=/rinkimai/1544/rnk1870/kandidatai/KandidatasPrivInterDekl_rkndId-2437189.html |publisher=Central Election Commission |language=lt |date=2024}} They have two children. As of 2023, Paluckas was the second-wealthiest member of the Seimas, with €2.13 million in assets.{{cite news |last1=Biržietis |first1=Dominykas |title=Who are the richest Lithuanian MPs? |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2306884/who-are-the-richest-lithuanian-mps |work=lrt.lt |date=27 June 2024 |language=en}} His family owns a walnut orchard in Turkey as well as a plot of land in Brazil.

Besides his native Lithuanian, Paluckas speaks fluent English, proficient Russian, and basic Spanish and Portuguese. His hobbies include fishing, playing basketball, and raising chickens and ducks. Paluckas is a member of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union.

He is an author of several articles and political reviews in the national press.{{cite web |title=Autorius: Gintautas Paluckas |trans-title=Author: Gintautas Paluckas |url=https://www.lrt.lt/author/gintautas-paluckas-1052106 |website=lrt.lt |language=lt |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-date=30 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130064954/https://www.lrt.lt/author/gintautas-paluckas-1052106 |url-status=live }}

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Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Lithuanian politicians

Category:Social Democratic Party of Lithuania politicians

Category:Lithuanian politicians convicted of crimes

Category:Members of the Seimas

Category:People from Panevėžys

Category:Prime ministers of Lithuania

Category:Vilnius University alumni

Category:Vice-mayors of places in Lithuania