Report
Lithuania Weekly: Silent Protest Sparks Debate Over Coalition Controversy
The “10 Minutes of Silence” protest on November 14 gathered approximately 5,000 people outside the Lithuanian parliament to oppose the inclusion of the “Nemuno Aušra” party in the governing coalition, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who is on trial for alleged antisemitic remarks. Critics, including President Gitanas Nausėda, have condemned the coalition as harmful to democratic values and human rights. Meanwhile, Kremlin-aligned media exploited the protests to amplify anti-Western narratives, portraying Lithuania as unstable and corrupt while aiming to erode trust in democratic institutions and support for Ukraine.
Weekly Reports
Lithuania Weekly: Silent Protest Sparks Debate Over Coalition Controversy
The “10 Minutes of Silence” protest on November 14 gathered approximately 5,000 people outside the Lithuanian parliament to oppose the inclusion of the “Nemuno Aušra” party in the governing coalition, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who is on trial for alleged antisemitic remarks. Critics, including President Gitanas Nausėda, have condemned the coalition as harmful to democratic values and human rights. Meanwhile, Kremlin-aligned media exploited the protests to amplify anti-Western narratives, portraying Lithuania as unstable and corrupt while aiming to erode trust in democratic institutions and support for Ukraine.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: False Claims About Food Parcel Proposal
Two separate disinformation narratives emerged in Latvia. First, false claims about a reform that would lead to food parcels for the poor containing bad quality food. Second, false claims circulated about Trump supposedly cutting US government spending by 30% and about alleged US admissions regarding chemical weapons labs in Ukraine.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin Media Discredits Lithuanian Elections Amid Controversial Coalition Formation
Former President Dalia Grybauskaitė faced backlash for warning against a coalition with the controversial “Nemuno aušra” party, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who is accused of antisemitism. Despite her concerns, the Social Democrats formed the coalition, which Kremlin-aligned outlets used as an opportunity to attack Grybauskaitė’s credibility, accusing her of Kremlin sympathies and discrediting her past political affiliations.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Misleading Narratives Following Trump’s Victory
Kremlin-aligned disinformation channels and Latvian conspiracy theorists both exploited Trump’s US election victory to spread misleading narratives. The pro-Kremlin channels suggested Trump as president would abandon Latvia’s defense, and made false claims about him stopping liberal policies. Latvian conspiracy theorists portrayed Trump as defeating “globalists” and hoped his win would aid their own anti-globalist fight in Latvia. They also undermined trust in independent media and experts for failing to predict Trump’s victory.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: Trump’s Election Inspires Kremlin Supporters
Some pro-Kremlin narratives emerged in the Estonian information space in response to the recent US presidential elections, with some voices advocating the normalization of US-Russian relations. Constitutional amendments proposed by the Estonian government could deprive Russian and Belarusian citizens of the right to vote, leading to accusations of failed integration and potential radicalization.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Social Democrat Leader Rejecting Prime Minister Post
Media in Lithuania spotlighted the Social Democratic Party’s (LSDP) parliamentary victory, marking a political shift amid rising discontent with the ruling Homeland Union. Kremlin-aligned media used this result to amplify narratives of instability and voter disillusionment, questioning Lithuania’s resilience under economic hardship and its alignment with Western policies.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Economic Decisions Under Fire
Recent narratives in Latvian media depict the economy as faltering, with critiques of major projects like Rail Baltica, described as a “bottomless pit” draining resources. Claims also suggest that disconnecting from the Russia-Belarus BRELL power grid in favor of European synchronization will drive up electricity costs.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: Debate Heats Up Over Voting Rights and the Russian Church
This week two major stories developed in the Estonian information space, where they provoked negative discussions and reactions from some Russian speakers. In this context, the issue of voting rights and the future status of the Russian Orthodox Church in Estonia will remain socio-politically resonant issues that can potentially be used in disinformation campaigns and the promotion of hostile narratives.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin Media Portrays Shift Toward a Multipolar World
Kremlin-backed media portrayed the BRICS group as an emerging global force poised to challenge the current world order. These outlets emphasized the alleged decline of U.S. dominance, pointing to the summit as evidence of a growing multipolar world led by powers like China and Russia.
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