Finland’s new Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, will visit Estonia on 5 July 2023 to meet with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and President Alar Karis, ERR reports. This will be Orpo’s first official foreign visit since being sworn in on 20 June 2023. The two prime ministers will discuss bilateral relations, regional security, and EU…
Estonia’s Ministry of Justice is undertaking efforts to improve the clarity and transparency of electronic voting rules, aligning them with the guidelines provided by the Supreme Court, BNS reports. The changes will elevate e-voting documentation to a higher decision-making level. Previously, the responsibility for the documentation largely rested with the National Electoral Committee and the…
Lithuania’s President, Gitanas Nauseda, said that everyone has the right to "civilised relations," commenting on the Vilnius Pride march on 1 July 2023, ELTA reports. Speaking in an interview with TV3, Nauseda expressed confidence that Lithuania would solve problems related to the question of civil partnerships. He argued that there was no reason to clash…
The Lithuanian MEP, Viktor Uspaskich, and his former wife, Jolanta Blazyte, are funding a new social media platform and alternative news website, 77.lt, LRT reports. The website, which was launched in April 2023, has attracted users who spread fake news about the coronavirus pandemic, vaccines, and the war in Ukraine. The network operates as part…
The Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) has demanded the resignation of Education and Science Minister Anda Caksa by the end of the working day on 3 July 2023, DELFI reports. If the minister refuses to resign, LIZDA may take further action, potentially delaying the start of the new school year. The…
Representatives of the current ruling coalition in Latvia’s Riga city council — New Unity, Code for Riga, National Alliance (NA), and the Latvian Association of Regions (LRA) — called for “statesmanlike thinking” in the work of the coalition, LETA reports. In a public statement, the factions emphasised that the current coalition should continue. Deputy mayor…
The mayor of Latvia’s capital Riga, Martins Stakis, has resigned, LSM reports. He said that the move was due to disagreements within the ruling coalition regarding an investigation into alleged violations in the management practices and use of funds in the city’s transport department. A new mayor needs to be elected within two months, Baltic…
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has approved in first reading amendments proposed by parliamentary speaker, leader of the Lithuanian Liberal Movement (LLS) Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, that would provide for administrative liability for insulting the honour and dignity of people who provide public services, LRT reports, citing Novaya Gazeta. Violators will face fines of EUR 50-300 for…
Estonian former MP Mihhail Stalnuhhin, who failed to renew his seat in the parliamentary elections in March 2023, says he is leaving politics, ERR reports. He won the most votes (4,578) in the Ida-Virumaa county, but fell short of a personal mandate. Stalnuhhin said that it was his last election. He was expelled from the…