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Reports

8
Tallinn
June 30th - July 6th, 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Weekly: VAT Hike and Church Bill Fuel Disinformation

Estonia’s VAT hike and some new laws have become lightning rods for pro-Kremlin critics, who frame them as evidence of elitist governance and cultural oppression, especially targeting the Russian-speaking minority.

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June 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Monthly: Political Victimhood and Radical Messaging Fuel Tensions Between Communities

In June, Stability! party leader Aleksejs Roslikovs sparked controversy by declaring in Parliament, “There are more of us! We cannot be banned!” – a response to a nationalist proposal to restrict Russian language use. His remarks and viral social media posts were later amplified by pro-Kremlin media, highlighting how domestic tensions can fuel foreign propaganda.

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June 2025 by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon

Estonia Monthly: The Return of the ‘Russian Card’ Ahead of Municipal Elections

By June 2025, Estonia’s ruling coalition faced mounting internal tensions over cultural and social policy, with a proposal to abolish kindergarten fees exposing deeper divisions among the governing parties. As pressure mounted, opposition forces reignited debates around the treatment of Russian-speaking residents, accusing the government of pursuing de-Russification and cultural exclusion. With municipal elections looming, the ‘Russian card’ re-emerged as both a political weapon and a reflection of unresolved questions about identity, inclusion, and national cohesion.

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5
Aleksejs Roslikovs
June 23rd - June 29th, 2025 by Martinš Hiršs

Latvia Weekly: Russian Language Debate Fuels Radical Rhetoric

Aleksejs Roslikovs sparked major controversy with his parliamentary declaration "There are more of us! We cannot be banned!" in response to proposed Russian language restrictions, leading to criminal proceedings for allegedly assisting Russia and inciting hatred. Following incidents including a hanging his effigy and offensive football fan posters targeting him, Roslikovs has leveraged these threats to construct a comprehensive victimization narrative on social media, portraying himself as a persecuted defender of Russian speakers against what he characterizes as organized extremist persecution and broader conspiracies by Latvia's establishment.

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