Category:
Reports
Latvia Monthly: Intensifying Pre-Election Rhetoric
Populist candidates like Grevcova and Brēmanis (Alliance of Young Latvians) use emotionally charged content to highlight alleged government corruption and waste, often through unverifiable claims. Their videos on TikTok and Facebook generate more engagement than both Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels and rival populists like Roslikovs (For Stability). These figures leverage outrage-driven messaging to erode trust in Latvian institutions and promote anti-establishment, anti-government sentiment - particularly among Russian-speaking audiences.
Read moreEstonia Monthly: Narva's Mayor Faces Threats Amid Rising Tensions
Katri Raik, mayor of the border city of Narva, has spoken candidly about the rising tensions in her community as Estonia strengthens its military presence near Russia. While some welcome the move, many locals remain wary. Raik has received multiple threats, including a death threat and public intimidation, on the same day news broke about a planned Estonian Defence Forces base in Narva. Her leadership highlights the delicate balance between national security and local identity in a city shaped by complex histories and geopolitical realities.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Media Targets Lithuanian Leadership
This past week, Kremlin-aligned outlets seized on a protest in Vilnius against the proposed real estate tax, using it as a platform for conspiracy theories and anti-government rhetoric. Alongside slogans portraying the tax as an attack on ordinary citizens, commentary amplified the coincidental timing of a fire at a nearby waste facility, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to suppress protest turnout. The tax itself was framed as a corrupt scheme by political elites, furthering narratives aimed at eroding trust in Lithuania’s leadership and democratic institutions.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: The Rise of the Union of New Latvians
The previously fringe party Union of New Latvians, led by Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis, has gained significant social media traction and is now projected to potentially enter the Riga city council in June elections. Their viral content focuses on portraying Latvia as failing economically, alleging anti-Russian discrimination, promoting anti-globalist conspiracy theories, and positioning Grevcova as the authentic representative of Russian-speaking Latvians.
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