Lithuania: Government pursues control over public broadcaster
The Lithuanian government is pressing ahead with legislative proposals that would impose political control over…
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Welcome to Via Baltica, your “information superhighway” for news from the three Baltic tigers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania! Our founder and editor-in-chief is Kerkko Paananen, senior news analyst with more than two decades of professional expertise in covering and reporting on current affairs in the Baltic States. We aim to do one thing well:…
Lithuania: Government pursues control over public broadcaster
The Lithuanian government is pressing ahead with legislative proposals that would impose political control over the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), LRT reports. Earlier, opposition MPs as well as representatives of the Lithuanian Association of Professional Journalists (ZPA) and LRT staff withdrew in protest from a parliamentary working group set up…
Latvia: PM pushes Baltics to invest in airBaltic
The Latvian government has again suggested that all three Baltic States invest in Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic, ERR reports. Prime Minister Evika Silina argued that the Baltic countries should work together to “coordinate aviation” in the region. She intends to discuss the issue with her Estonian and Lithuanian counterparts. Earlier, the Estonian government rejected Latvia’s…
Estonia: Keep cash at home: central bank
Estonia’s central bank, the Bank of Estonia, has recommended that residents keep about a week’s worth of cash at home, ERR reports. Rainer Olt, head of payment and settlement systems at the Bank of Estonia, stressed that cash reserves were necessary in case of disruptions to electronic payment systems. Around 8% of Estonians prefer to…
Lithuania: New laws to control fuel prices
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has proposed a draft law that would allow the government to set maximum consumer prices on petrol and diesel fuel by decree, ELTA reports. Under the law, the Energy Ministry would calculate and proclaim the daily fuel price cap under a specific formula. Retailers failing to comply with the price cap…
Latvia: Ban on Russian, Belarusian grain extended
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has extended a ban on the import of agricultural and animal feed products from Russia and Belarus until 1 July 2027, LSM reports. Latvia banned the import of certain agricultural products from the two aggressor states in March 2024. The ban applies to products originating from Russia or Belarus that…
Estonia: Ministers argue about anti-money laundering law
Estonia’s Finance Ministry has drafted legislative amendments that would grant the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) explicit authority to access banking data to combat money laundering, ERR reports. Under the law, banks would not be allowed to inform clients about such inquiries. Earlier, following criticism from Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta restricted…
Lithuania: GDP to grow 3.1% in 2026: central bank
Lithuania’s GDP will grow by 3.1% under a baseline scenario in 2026, according to the Bank of Lithuania’s latest forecast, ELTA reports. GDP growth will reach 2.0% in 2027 and 2.9% in 2028, the central bank projects. Under an adverse scenario, however, the country’s GDP growth will stand at 3.1% in 2026, at mere 1.6%…
Latvia: Drivers paid EUR 8.5mn in traffic fines in 2025
Drivers of motor vehicles in Latvia paid altogether EUR 8.5mn in traffic fines in 2025, according to the country’s Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), LSM reports. The most violations were registered on the A8 and A1 highways and on Juglas Street in Riga. CSDD’s 100 stationary speed cameras record an average of 200,000 speeding violations…
Estonia: Hannes Hanso slated as new ambassador to US
Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to nominate Hannes Hanso as the country’s new ambassador to the United States, ERR reports. He would replace Kristjan Prikk, who has been appointed to the post of Estonia’s ambassador to NATO. Currently, Hanso is Estonia’s ambassador to China, Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Previously, he has served as defence…