The Lithuanian government is considering the possibility of allowing the construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMR) in the country, LRT reports. Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said that the government would identify two or three SMR technologies in 2026 for further evaluation in terms of technical and economic feasibility. The minister stressed Lithuania’s need to…
Latvia’s Riga Fertilizer Terminal (RFT) has again asked the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FID) for a waver on EU sanctions in order to resume operations, LSM reports. RFT pledged to isolate the company’s majority owner, sanctioned Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, from the company’s management and profits. However, Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) pointed out that…
Estonia’s new motor vehicle tax and registration fee, which were introduced as of 1 January 2025, generated total revenue of EUR 151mn in 2025, ERR reports. Registration fee revenue totalled EUR 64.2mn in 2025, which was more than 50% less than the projected EUR 137mn. Meanwhile, revenue from the motor vehicle tax was close to…
The mayor of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, Valdas Benkunskas, has launched a signature campaign for legislation that would oblige foreigners living temporarily in the country to learn Lithuanian, BNS reports. Under the mayor’s proposal, non-EU nationals would have to show proof of at least A2-level proficiency in Lithuanian when renewing their temporary residence permits after…
The Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) has proposed raising the country’s minimum monthly wage by at least EUR 55 to EUR 835 in 2027, LETA reports. Currently, Latvia’s minimum wage stands at EUR 780 per month, while the tax-free income threshold is EUR 550 per month. LBAS noted that under government rules, the…
Poverty in Lithuania has increased across the country, particularly in remote regions, LRT reports. Nearly 700,000 people are living below the poverty risk threshold. The average poverty level in rural areas is almost twice as high as in cities. In some municipalities, every third resident is living in poverty. Ugne Uzgale, head of strategy and…
The Estonian government has approved legislative amendments to improve the country’s defence against so-called “little green men” and hybdrid attacks, ERR reports. Specifically, the bill would allow the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) to engage in law enforcement activity and NATO allied personnel to participate in countering hybrid threats and ensuring border security under EDF command….
The party congress of the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) has elected Mindaugas Sinkevicius as the party’s chairman until 2029, LRT reports. He was the only candidate for the post, receiving 503 votes out of 535. Sinkevicius has led LSDP since August 2025 after the party’s previous chairman, MP Gintautas Paluckas, resigned amid a…
Latvian artists have launched a protest campaign against Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale arts exhibition in Italy, Ukrainska Pravda reports. The campaign, “Death in Venice”, was organised by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LLMC) together with the Latvian national pavilion at the exhibition. The Latvian artists stressed that institutional neutrality in relation to…