A fishing enthusiast and one of the wealthier members of the NATO and EU member's new parliament, the tall 45-year-old has found his record overshadowed by a corruption conviction.

He will become the small Baltic state's prime minister after Social Democrat leader Vilija Blinkeviciute withdrew her candidacy due to age and health concerns after the centre-left's victory in last month's elections.

Paluckas's coalition has drawn heavy criticism for including the populist Nemunas Dawn party, whose leader is on trial for alleged anti-Semitic remarks.

Paluckas often dons suits with red ties, a nod to his party's colour, and has neatly combed hair that gives him a composed and polished look.

But he has said appearances can be deceiving, suggesting people get to know him on the basketball court: "I am stubborn and goal-oriented," he has said.

Before joining the Social Democrats in 2003, Paluckas belonged to the Young Conservative League, whose members often join the Social Democrats' arch-rivals, the conservative party.

He downplays this early association as a youthful dalliance.

"The parties were very good," Paluckas joked.

- U-turn on defence -

Born in the northern city of Panevezys in 1979, Paluckas earned a computer science degree from Vilnius University.

He launched his political career in 2005 as an aide to a member of the European Parliament and later worked for the city of Vilnius, including as deputy mayor between 2015 and 2019.

Paluckas chaired the Social Democratic Party from 2017 to 2021 but stepped down after it suffered a heavy defeat in the 2020 legislative elections.

Paluckas advocates greater redistribution through the state budget.

He also strongly supports human rights, including same-sex partnerships, unlike many of his party peers.

His views on defence and geopolitics have evolved.

In the past, he suggested Lithuania buy cheaper electricity from Belarus's nuclear power plant, despite concerns it could increase dependence on Russia.

Belarus and Russia are close allies.

In 2018, he opposed raising defence spending further after the country hit the two-percent of GDP mark.

- Conviction -

Paluckas has since shifted in his stance, citing changes in the global security landscape.

"The Social Democrats have certainly changed their minds and I have changed my mind on this issue," he told the BNS news agency last month.

Lithuania has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022.

Many of its 2.8 million people fear the Baltic state could be targeted if Moscow wins the Ukraine war.

This week, Paluckas said the government will seek to increase defence spending to 3.5 percent of GDP in 2025.

Paluckas has assets of over two million euros ($2.0 million) from shares he owns in two companies producing battery systems and electronic devices, as well as several properties abroad.

In 2010, he was convicted of abuse of office while director of the Vilnius city municipal administration.

The case involved a public tender for rodent control services, in which Paluckas was found to have acted deliberately to exclude the lower-priced bidder in favour of the municipality's company.

He received a suspended prison sentence.