Report
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.
Weekly Reports
Estonia Weekly: Pro-Kremlin Narratives Target Defense Efforts and EU Diplomacy
Anti-Estonian criticism has been triggered by military drills and a private company’s idea to supply air-defence missiles to Ukraine. In addition, pro-Kremlin groups discuss EU High Representative Kaja Kallas’ actions, including her visit to Kyiv and refusal to meet Lavrov on Malta.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: DHL Plane Crash Sparks Conspiracy Theories
During the reporting week, the DHL cargo plane crash in Vilnius dominated Lithuanian headlines and sparked intense speculation. While officials pointed to technical issues or human error, Kremlin-aligned media framed the incident as a provocation against Russia, amplifying conspiracy theories about NATO aggression and regional instability.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Kremlin Narratives Paint Latvia as a Failing State
During the monitoring period Kremlin-aligned and local conspiracy Telegram channels spread disinformation about Latvia, falsely portraying it as a failed state through narratives about high prices, alleged lack of democracy, alleged healthcare issues, and fabricated claims about US diplomatic services.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: Speculation About 2025 Blackouts & Migration Law
In early 2025, Estonia will disconnect from BRELL and connect to the European grid, sparking speculative fears of possible widespread blackouts. Social media commentators criticize Estonia’s proposed legislation to ban the use of the Russian language in residency applications, raising concerns about growing Russophobia in migration issues.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Kremlin Media Shifts Focus to Criticizing the Country’s Leadership
The “10 Minutes of Silence” protest on November 14 gathered approximately 5,000 people outside the Lithuanian parliament to oppose the inclusion of the “Nemuno Aušra” party in the governing coalition, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who is on trial for alleged antisemitic remarks. Critics, including President Gitanas Nausėda, have condemned the coalition as harmful to democratic values and human rights. Meanwhile, Kremlin-aligned media exploited the protests to amplify anti-Western narratives, portraying Lithuania as unstable and corrupt while aiming to erode trust in democratic institutions and support for Ukraine.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: Kremlin-Aligned Narratives Paint Grim Picture of the Economy
During the monitoring period, Kremlin-aligned Telegram channels amplified negative economic narratives about Latvia, exploiting real challenges like post-inflation price increases. While Latvia did experience significant inflation, these channels deliberately exaggerated economic difficulties through hyperbolic claims about impending hunger, “price chaos,” and widespread unemployment forcing emigration. These exaggerated narratives were consistently framed to undermine public trust by portraying the government as indifferent to citizens’ economic hardships.
Read moreEstonia Weekly: No Values in Narva Coalition & Denial of Cable Sabotage
Public debate arises over the Narva coalition between Raik and Stalnuhhin, criticized by mainstream politicians in Estonia for potential provocations and values discrepancy. Social media ridicules the idea of sabotage causing damage to fiber-optic cables, implying Western blame on Russia is unjustified and biased.
Read moreLithuania Weekly: Silent Protest Sparks Debate Over Coalition Controversy
The “10 Minutes of Silence” protest on November 14 gathered approximately 5,000 people outside the Lithuanian parliament to oppose the inclusion of the “Nemuno Aušra” party in the governing coalition, led by Remigijus Žemaitaitis, who is on trial for alleged antisemitic remarks. Critics, including President Gitanas Nausėda, have condemned the coalition as harmful to democratic values and human rights. Meanwhile, Kremlin-aligned media exploited the protests to amplify anti-Western narratives, portraying Lithuania as unstable and corrupt while aiming to erode trust in democratic institutions and support for Ukraine.
Read moreLatvia Weekly: False Claims About Food Parcel Proposal
Two separate disinformation narratives emerged in Latvia. First, false claims about a reform that would lead to food parcels for the poor containing bad quality food. Second, false claims circulated about Trump supposedly cutting US government spending by 30% and about alleged US admissions regarding chemical weapons labs in Ukraine.
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