In 2002, Paksas founded the Liberal Democratic Party, aiming to attract diverse political support through a populist and reformist agenda.

[2] Shortly after assuming office, Paksas initiated a series of reforms, including anti-corruption measures targeting public officials involved in illegal land acquisitions.

In October 2003, allegations surfaced that Paksas had unlawfully granted Lithuanian citizenship to Yury Borisov, a Russian businessman and one of his major campaign donors.

Investigations revealed that Borisov had provided substantial financial support to Paksas's campaign and was granted citizenship in return, circumventing standard legal procedures.

[3] Further investigations exposed troubling connections between senior members of Paksas's administration and Russian criminal organizations, raising concerns about national security.

On April 6, 2004, the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) voted to remove Paksas from office on three charges: unlawfully granting citizenship, leaking classified information, and interfering in private business matters.

The case underscored Lithuania's commitment to political accountability but also triggered years of legal battles over the lifetime ban imposed on him from holding parliamentary office.

In April 2022, the Lithuanian Parliament amended the Constitution to allow impeached individuals to run for parliamentary office after ten years, thereby reinstating Paksas's eligibility to stand as a candidate.

[6] While serving as a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2019, Paksas focused on various issues, but after leaving office, he largely stepped away from active political roles.

[10] Rolandas Paksas began his political journey in the early 1990s as a member of the Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania (LDDP), which was considered left-leaning.

His campaign platform included pledges to reduce poverty, address income disparities, combat corruption, and move Lithuania towards a more market-oriented economy.

In return, Paksas granted Borisov Lithuanian citizenship through a presidential decree, which the Constitutional Court of Lithuania later ruled unconstitutional.

[17] Concerns about Paksas's associations led to an investigation by the State Security Department of Lithuania, which uncovered further allegations of leaked classified information to Borisov and interference in privatization processes.

On 6 April 2004, the Seimas voted on three charges: leaking classified information, improperly restoring Borisov's citizenship, and interfering in a privatization transaction.

He has since expressed interest in forming a new political movement but remains barred from running for president or serving as the Speaker of the Seimas.