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.
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Latvia 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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Latvia Weekly: Weaponizing Identity and Language
Pro-Kremlin Telegram accounts in Latvia push narratives that undermine Latvian sovereignty by portraying it as a Western puppet state with decadent values while glorifying the Russian imperial period. These accounts, including political candidate Roslikovs from the Stability party, also amplify claims of anti-Russian discrimination in Latvia, particularly around language rights, while promoting anti-government sentiment by portraying Latvian authorities as corrupt and exploitative.
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Latvia Weekly: How Outrage Is Fueling a Populist Surge
The previously fringe Union of New Latvians party is now polling to pass the 5% threshold for Riga's city council. Its leaders Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis are generating social media engagement through content which can be described as “outrage porn.” They are stirring up outrage in their audience using charged and even fake topics to provoke strong emotional reactions. Guess the populist political party which gained the most engagements for its posts on Facebook, TikTok and Telegram? It was not Roslikovs, the leader of Stability! party. It was not Ainārs Šlesers, Trump-like leader of Latvia First party. It was Glorija Grevcova and Rūdolfs Brēmanis from the Union New Latvians.
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