Lithuanian commission flags severe campaign finance violations

Lithuania's Central Electoral Commission (VRK) has declared severe breaches of law concerning the financing of the "Nemuno aušra" party and presidential candidate Robertas Žemaitaitis. The commission determined that the party's 2024 election campaign and Žemaitaitis's presidential bid were illegally funded through MP Robertas Puchovičius, who acted as a third party channeling corporate money.

The VRK found that "Nemuno aušra" received approximately 24,200 euros from Puchovičius's companies, "Tvari statyba" and "Lajota." These funds were transferred to the party shortly after being received by Puchovičius. Additionally, 4,500 euros from "Tvari statyba" were allegedly channeled to Žemaitaitis's presidential campaign through Puchovičius.

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Serious violations were committed when accepting membership fees paid through third parties, part of which were company funds.

Further violations involved the acceptance of membership fees, which also contained company funds. The commission identified Puchovičius's family members, his brother's business partner, and a former party member with a prior conviction for cocaine offenses as recipients or facilitators of this illegal financing. Consequently, Žemaitaitis has been ordered to transfer the illegally received 9,500 euros to the state budget.

Robertas Puchovičius's lawyer argued that the transfers were personal income, such as salary or dividends, and that the VRK did not request necessary documentation to verify this. However, the VRK concluded that the law was significantly violated and has notified the Special Investigation Service (STT) and the Prosecutor General's Office about the findings.

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The company transfers to R. Puchovičius were 'income of a natural person.'