The European Commission (EC) warned that the current funding model for Estonia’s public broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR), may violate the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), ERR reports. Giuseppe Abbamonte, deputy director-general of the EC’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology in charge of media policy, stated that Estonia’s protection of the independence of public…
As many as 15% of Lithuanians have given a monetary bribe or other form of compensation for medical services in recent years, according to a Baltijos Tyrimai poll for LRT. Meanwhile, around 75% of respondents said that they had not bribed medical staff. Another 9% said that they had not visited a medical facility at…
Average housing prices in Latvia rose by 8.4% in the third quarter of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024, according to provisional data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reports. Prices of new dwellings increased by 3.8% and old dwellings by 9.4% over a year. Compared to the second quarter of 2025,…
The Estonian opposition party, Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond), has reelected Mihhail Kõlvart as the party’s chairman, ERR reports. He ran unopposed at the party congress in Paide. Also, the congress elected a 14-member board. In his opening speech, Kõlvart noted that the Centre Party had proven wrong those who had said that it was finished,…
Lithuanian teenagers continue to smoke and drink less, according to a new European school survey, LRT reports. Also, cannabis use among minors in Lithuania is now lowest in 20 years. At the same time, the misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medications, especially sedatives and sleeping pills, among teenagers has increased markedly. Also, electronic cigarettes remain…
Estonia’s Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta demanded that the European Commission add the Telegram messaging service to the EU’s list of very large online platforms (VLOP), ERR reports. She said that an independent count showed that the platform clearly had more users than the threshold to be deemed a VLOP. The listing would force Telegram to…
The new National Security Strategy (NSS) of the United States shows that the US understands the security sensitivities of the Baltic region, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene stated, BNS reported. Speaking after a joint meeting with her Estonian and Latvian counterparts in Riga, Ruginiene said that the US had assured that it would not withdraw…
The ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (LSDP) has commissioned a Norstat poll to gauge voter opinion on its coalition with far-right Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA), LRT reports. The survey showed that 56% of voters had a negative opinion of LSDP’s decision to invite PPNA into government. Also, 53% thought that the current coalition should…
Latvia’s State Police now has authority to impose penalties on drivers without having to stop their vehicle, LSM reports. Police can issue automatic traffic fines for violations detected by mobile and stationary speed cameras and radars as of 11 December 2025. Drivers can appeal the automatic fines within one month of notification.