Skip to content

Latvia

October 14th - October 20th, 2024 | Week 59 | Month 14

Latvia Weekly: Narratives of NATO Distrust and EU Criticism Amid Migrant Debate

During the examined week, key narratives centered on distrust in NATO unity and negative sentiment toward EU policies on migration and climate change. An opposition party member claimed that while Eastern Europe faces war on its borders, Western Europe battles a "war on its streets" caused by migrants, described as uncivilized and a societal threat. TikTok remained the leading platform for reach and engagement, especially among Russian and Latvian-speaking audiences, while activity on X (formerly Twitter) declined.

by Otto Tabuns
Main channels: Facebook, TikTok

7

Main narratives:

  • Anti-immigration sentiments;
  • Incompetence of the current government;
  • Blames of alleged Russophobia;
  • Anti-green deal statements.

Overview:

During the examined week, several key narratives emerged, with particular focus on issues surrounding NATO and European Union policies. One of the main narratives highlighted a growing distrust in the unity among NATO member states, as well as concerns about the transparency of the current government’s handling of national security matters. This was coupled with a general negative sentiment toward the European Union’s policies, particularly those concerning migration and climate change, which continued to be points of contention.

A significant moment during the week came from a member of the opposition party, who expressed strong criticism of the situation in Europe. He stated that while Eastern Europe is grappling with a war on its borders, Western Europe is facing what he described as a “war on its streets,” instigated by migrants, whom he characterized as uncivilized and a threat to society. This statement gained traction and was widely shared, fueling further polarization on the issue of migration.

In terms of social media engagement, TikTok remained the platform with the highest reach, particularly resonating with both Russian and Latvian-speaking audiences. The platform continues to dominate in terms of user engagement, while activity on X (formerly Twitter) has seen a noticeable decline over the week. This shift may reflect changing user preferences or varying levels of interest in specific narratives across platforms.

Weekly Reports
Saeimas

Latvia Weekly: How Outrage Is Fueling a Populist Surge

April 14th - April 20th, 2025

Estonia Weekly: Concerns Over Russian Propaganda and Youth Indoctrination

April 14th - April 20th, 2025

Military

Lithuania Weekly: Silence After Tragedy Fuels New Conspiracy Theories

April 7th - April 13th, 2025

Market

Latvia Weekly: Russophobia, Decline, and Delusion - Narratives Fuel Division

April 7th - April 13th, 2025

Ship

Estonia Weekly: Seizure of Sanctioned Tanker Sparks Kremlin Backlash

April 7th - April 13th, 2025

Pabradė

Lithuania Weekly: Conspiracies After Successful Pabradė Operation

March 31st - April 6th, 2025

Army

Latvia Weekly: Propaganda Paints Latvia as Aggressor

March 31st - April 6th, 2025

Tallinn

Estonia Weekly: Propaganda Targets Censorship and Spending

March 31st - April 6th, 2025

Pabradė

Lithuania Weekly: Pabradė Tragedy Sparks Anti-NATO Narratives

March 24th - March 30th, 2025

Riga

Latvia Weekly: How Kremlin Channels Paint Latvia as Collapsing

March 24th - March 30th, 2025

Don't miss a story.

We publish stories that change laws, lives, minds and the world. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our investigations delivered to your inbox.