Lithuanian Government Crumbles in Reimbursement Abuse Scandal (europeanconservative.com)

Lithuania’s ruling Homeland Union party has called for snap elections following the so-called “municipal expenses scandal,” but the opposition parties call for the government’s resignation right away, BNE Intellinews reported on Wednesday, May 24th. Meanwhile, Vilnius is preparing to host the annual NATO Summit in July, further complicating the crisis.

The scandal began as recently published expense reports aroused allegations that several municipal council members—who do not receive fixed salaries—may have abused expense reimbursement claims. Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, seems to be the epicenter of the outrage, as the local council members were not even required to provide invoices or receipts. 

So far, the scandal has claimed only one victim, Education Minister Jurgita Šiugždinienė, who had been on the Kaunas Council before joining the government. She chose to resign when the entire government was asked to explain their expenses after the snowballing accusations reached the highest levels of Vilnius’ political elite. 

The remaining members of the government—formed by a three-party coalition led by the center-right Homeland Union (TS-LKD)—stand fast in their decision to organize snap elections within a few months, despite the opposition parties, including the country’s most popular party, the social democrat LSDP, demanding their resignation right away.

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