Main narratives:
- General anti-government sentiments;
- The incompetence of the current government;
- Undermining the history of Lithuania.
Overview:
This week, pro-Kremlin media in Lithuania focused on two significant events in the country: the commemoration of January 13th events and Agnė Širinskienė’s departure from the “Nemuno Aušra” party.
January 13th marks the Day of the Defenders of Freedom in Lithuania, a solemn occasion honoring the lives lost during the 1991 Soviet aggression. The forget-me-not flower, a symbol of the day, adorns the lapels of many Lithuanians to express respect and remembrance. However, pro-Kremlin media targeted what they described as “the exaggerated sacralization of this celebration” and sought to undermine its importance. Even the forget-me-not, a unifying symbol of the day, was criticized in attempts to diminish the significance of this national remembrance.
The media also focused on Agnė Širinskienė’s resignation from the “Nemuno Aušra” party, discussing the reasons for her departure and its implications. This event greatly accelerated anti-government narratives, as criticisms were not only directed at Širinskienė’s actions and questioned her values but also aimed at the broader policies and decisions of the ruling authorities. This contributed to growing skepticism and distrust in the government’s leadership and values.
