Report
Latvia Weekly: MP’s Arrest Fuels Populist Narrative Online
Aleksejs Roslikovs transformed his detention by Latvia’s State Security Service on charges of assisting Russia and inciting hatred into a powerful social media narrative of political martyrdom, portraying himself as a persecuted victim fighting government oppression. His TikTok videos reframing the criminal investigation as evidence of his heroic resistance demonstrate how populist politicians can exploit legal troubles to strengthen their anti-establishment credentials and generate massive online engagement.
Weekly Reports
Latvia Weekly: the Use of Social Media to Cast Government as Threat
The Alliance of Young Latvians positioned themselves as sole defenders of public safety and minority rights by highlighting criminal incidents in Riga, promoting anti-immigration sentiment, and repeatedly showcasing anonymous hateful comments towards their leaders. They were constructing an anti-establishment narrative that portrays them as the only politicians genuinely concerned about public safety, environmental risks, and persecution of Russian speakers.
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Estonia Weekly: Pride Event Sparks Backlash as Kremlin-Aligned Narratives Resurface
Tallinn’s Pride event drew backlash from pro-Kremlin voices accusing Estonia of eroding traditional values and sidelining economic priorities. Speculative posts about police training with water cannons were used to stoke fears of government repression, highlighting how neutral events can be twisted to fuel disinformation.
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Lithuania Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Turn Austerity into a Punchline
Government claims that rising taxes are tied to national defense sparked ridicule from Kremlin-aligned commentators. Satirical slogans and memes painted austerity as a cover for elite interests, with sarcastic quips like, “Land Rovers for 120k won’t buy themselves – let’s all chip in!”
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Latvia Weekly: Exploiting a Viral Video to Reinforce Ethnic Bias Claims
The Alliance of Young Latvians extensively exploited a viral video of a woman at a judo competition shouting “Wipe your tears! It doesn’t matter! He’s Russian!” to her son, with both leaders making multiple posts attacking the woman personally and investigating her political connections. This coordinated response demonstrates how the party amplifies isolated incidents to construct broader narratives about systematic anti-Russian discrimination within Latvia’s political establishment.
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Estonia Weekly: Government Moves in Narva Fuel Propaganda
At a ministerial meeting in Narva, the Estonian government confirmed plans for a permanent military base, a regional command centre and enhancements to energy security. Pro-Kremlin critics accused the government of oversecuritising the region, escalating tensions with Russia and violating freedom of speech.
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Lithuania Weekly: Vaitkus’s Belarus Trip Fuels Anti-Government Rhetoric
A recent visit to Belarus by Eduardas Vaitkus has ignited fierce controversy in Lithuania, drawing sharp criticism from government officials and becoming a propaganda tool for Kremlin-aligned media. While Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė and MP Laurynas Kasčiūnas denounced the trip as harmful to national interests, pro-Kremlin voices turned the incident into a platform for anti-government rhetoric, fueling distrust in democratic institutions and framing state leaders as the real threat to Lithuania.
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Latvia Weekly: Using TikTok to Amplify State Criticism
The most popular TikTok content from Latvia’s leading populist politicians centered on victimization narratives, minority rights advocacy, and exaggerated claims of government overreach. These politicians successfully leverage TikTok’s algorithm by combining personal drama, anti-establishment messaging, and minority advocacy to create emotionally engaging content that positions them as protectors of marginalized groups against an establishment.
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Estonia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Propaganda Targets Baltic Incidents
Pro-Kremlin commentators have exploited maritime incidents in the Baltic Sea and the testing of an emergency alert system to depict Estonia and NATO as acting in an aggressive manner that endangers regional stability.
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Lithuania Weekly: May 9th as a Propaganda Tool
Kremlin-aligned media amplified Victory Day commemorations while accusing Lithuania of attempting to erase historical memory. President Nausėda’s criticism of the Moscow parade sparked a coordinated backlash, fueling claims that Baltic leaders are disrespectful of Russian traditions. Disinformation sources further misled audiences with unrelated headlines and narratives portraying Lithuania as ideologically lost and historically ignorant – reinforcing broader efforts to divide society and bolster pro-Russian sentiment.
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