Latvian political scientists Juris Rozenvalds and Ilga Kreituse criticised outgoing president Egils Levits in an interview on DELFI’s podcast with Danuta Dembovska. Professor Rozenvalds of the University of Latvia said that Levits’s foreign policy activity was positive, whereas the president’s achievements in domestic policy were “zero.” Levits promised a lot but failed to deliver, Rozenvalds…
Exiled Russian liberal opposition leader, economist Vladimir Milov, says Russians are not welcome in Latvia and advises Russian emigrants to leave the country, LSM reports. Speaking in an interview with LSM’s Russian service, Milov noted that the pro-Russian position of many Russian-speakers in Latvia leaves an imprint on all Russians. "Even if you are the…
The EU Affairs Committee of the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, has approved Estonia’s position on the introduction of digital travel documents in the EU, ERR reports. The committee supports the introduction of digital passports and ID cards. Committee deputy chair Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski of the Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond) said that digital travel documents would accelerate…
Local governments and educational institutions in Latvia are concerned about the financial benefits of the government’s planned school network reform, Diena reports. Several questions remain unresolved, including the quantitative criteria to decide on keeping or reorganising schools. The Ministry of Education and Science estimates that 120 schools are likely to be affected by the changes,…
Estonia has succeeded Canada as the co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), which is a partnership of countries advocating for media freedom and safety of journalists worldwide, ERR reports. The chair of the coalition rotates among member states on a biannual basis. Estonia joined MFC in September 2019. Estonia ranks in the top 10…
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has given its initial support for the government’s tax reform package, with 72 MPs voting in favour, 31 against, and 22 abstaining, Baltic News Network reports. The package will now proceed to parliamentary committees for further examination and will return to the main hall in autumn 2023. A total of…
Russia’s Justice Ministry has declared Alexey Gorpinchenko, Saint Petersburg correspondent for Estonian public broadcaster ERR’s Russian service, a “foreign agent,” ERR reports. The ministry accuses Gorpinchenko of “denouncing” Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, disseminating “untruthful” information about the war, and attracting international support. The “foreign agent” designation carries a variety of restrictions and potential fines.
The Lithuanian government has approved the Social Security and Labour Ministry’s proposal to raise the minimum monthly wage by 10% to EUR 924 before tax as of 2024, Baltic News Network reports. Pending parliamentary approval, the minimum hourly wage will also rise from the current EUR 5.14 before tax to EUR 5.65. Social Security and…
The National Defence Committee of Estonia’s parliament, the Riigikogu, has concluded its visit to Ukraine, Postimees reports. The MPs met with several representatives of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and high-ranking officials. The committee insisted that the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius must send a clear message to Ukraine about its NATO membership prospect….