The international credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has affirmed Lithuania’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating at A+ with a stable outlook, the Finance Ministry announced, BNS reports. The agency pointed to Lithuania’s credible policy framework, EU and eurozone membership, resilient economic growth, moderate government debt, and high institutional quality. Risks were related to the current…
Baltic and Polish leaders urged the EU to allocate necessary funding for the Rail Baltica railway project under the EU’s multiannual financial framework in 2028-2034, the Office of the President of Lithuania reported. In a joint letter to European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the leaders reaffirmed the…
Latvia’s state budget for 2027 will implement a policy of austerity, control, and reform, Finance Minister Maris Kucinskis announced, LSM reports. Speaking in an interview with Latvijas Radio, Kucinskis said that the government would freeze budget spending and public sector wages. At the same time, the government did not intend to raise taxes in 2027,…
The international credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has affirmed Latvia’s long-term issuer default rating at A- with a stable outlook, LSM reports. The agency noted Latvia’s “credible policy framework” and lower government debt than rating peers. However, Latvia had a higher exposure to geopolitical risks, smaller economy, lower GDP per capita, and weaker external finances…
The Lithuanian government has approved the draft state budget for 2027, BNS reports. Budget revenue, including EU funds, is expected at nearly EUR 22.2bn, which would be up 5.2% from 2026, BNS reports. Budget spending will total EUR 27.9bn, up 1.3% over a year. The State Social Insurance Fund’s (SoDra) revenue is projected at nearly…
Latvia’s state-owned railway company, Latvijas Dzelzcels (LDz), has signed an agreement with the Finance Ministry’s Central Finance and Contracts Agency (CFLA) on a project to build a new railway line to Riga International Airport, LSM reports. Under the contract, LDz and state-owned Eiropas Dzelzcela Linijas (EDZL) plan to build a new branch line from the…
Estonia’s annual GDP growth will reach around 2.5% in 2026, 2027, and 2028, the Bank of Estonia forecasts, Estonian World reports. The country’s economic recovery is driven by increased household consumption following tax changes, higher government spending financed by borrowing, and stronger manufacturing exports. The central bank urged to boost productivity and competitiveness. The biggest…
The Estonian government has approved amendments to the law regulating the operations of the country’s public broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR), ERR reports. Culture Minister Heidy Purga said that the changes would bring the law into line with EU regulations. The amendments would introduce a four-year funding agreement for ERR and fixed-term contracts for editorial management….
The chairman of Estonia’s national-conservative opposition party, Fatherland, Urmas Reinsalu, signalled major changes in economic policy after the parliamentary elections in March 2027, ERR reports. He said that the current government had failed to manage state finances and argued that government operating costs should have been cut more. Fatherland’s first task therefore was to fix…
