The Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) has arrested Vyacheslav Morozov, professor of international political theory at the University of Tartu, on suspicion of spying for Russia, ERR reports. Morozov, who is a Russian citizen, was remanded in custody for two months. The University of Tartu terminated his employment contract after the launch of the investigation….
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved the seizure of the so-called Moscow House in central Riga, LSM reports. The state is likely to auction the property. The building used to serve as a Russian cultural centre owned by the Moscow city government. Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) reported that the building was used to…
The Estonian Education Personnel Union (EHL) has called an open-ended general strike of education workers for 22 January 2024, ERR reports. Around 2,800 teachers in Tallinn will participate in the strike and another 500 in a sympathy strike. Meanwhile, teachers in Tartu will not take part in the general strike as they have signed a…
Latvia and Lithuania were among the largest exporters of beer to Russia in 2023, LRT reported, citing Russian news agency RIA Novosti. According to the report, the value of Lithuania’s beer exports to Russia amounted to USD 36.5mn in 2023, which was up by 1.9 times from 2022, accounting for just over 15% of Russia’s…
There will be no referendum against same-sex civil partnership in Latvia, LSM reports. A campaign to hold a popular referendum to suspend the publication of the new partnership law collected just some 15% of the around 155,000 signatures needed. The campaign, which was supported by the opposition United List, National Alliance, Latvia First, and For…
Estonia’s Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) received over 4,000 consumer complaints in 2023, which was up from a little over 3,500 in 2022, ERR reported. Of all consumer disputes, over 900 related to leaving contractual agreements and 500 to damage. More than 50% of complaints related to purchases of furniture (around 300), health…
Lithuania’s ruling coalition has failed to secure enough votes to pass the law on civil union, Ausrine Armonaite, chairwoman of the Freedom Party, conceded, BNS reports. She said that legalising same-sex unions did not receive sufficient support from Freedom Party’s coalition partners, Homeland Union (TS-LKD) and the Lithuanian Liberal Movement (LLS). Armonaite estimated that 66…
The Latvian government has outlined a comprehensive action plan to strengthen national security over the next few years, LETA reports. Key initiatives include securing allied presence, implementing NATO’s strategic concept, contributing to the EU’s security and defence policy, strengthening cooperation with transatlantic partners, and promoting EU-NATO cooperation. The plan prioritises dialogue with NATO member states,…
The number of traffic insurance cases registered in Estonia totalled 34,300 in 2023, which was almost unchanged from 2022, according to data from the Estonian Motor Insurance Bureau (LKF), ERR reports. The total volume of damages paid amounted to EUR 72mn, which was up 3% over a year. The average damage per case stood at…