Lithuania: Government may declare emergency over smuggler balloons

The Lithuanian government may declare an emergency due to the growing security threat posed by smuggler balloons launched from neighbouring Belarus, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic announced, BNS reports. He said that the government was assessing the impact on public safety and border security and was considering several options. Earlier, MEP Aurelijus Veryga, chairman of the…

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Estonia: Tallinn city council elects Mihhail Kõlvart as chairman

The city council of Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, has elected Mihhail Kõlvart, chairman of the Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond), as its new speaker, ERR reports. Kõlvart served as city council speaker in 2017-2019 and as city mayor in 2019-2024. Earlier, the Centre Party signed a four-year coalition agreement with national conservative party Fatherland (Isamaa). Under the…

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Estonia: Centre Party, Fatherland sign Tallinn coalition agreement

Estonia’s opposition Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond) and Fatherland (Isamaa) have signed a coalition agreement to govern Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, for the next four years, ERR reports. Under the agreement, the posts of mayor and city council chairman will alternate between the two parties, and the parties will have three deputy mayors each. Keskerakond’s Mihhail Kõlvart…

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Latvia: Ride e-moped service suspended after teenage deaths

Latvia’s Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) has suspended the operations of the electronic moped rental company, Ride, following an accident resulting in the deaths of two teenage girls in Riga, LSM reports. The company insisted that the decision was unjustified and said it was considering a legal challenge. PTAC suspended the service to prevent minors…

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Estonia: Reform to continue in Tallinn coalition

Estonian capital Tallinn’s four-party coalition government is likely to continue for the time being, ERR reports. The Estonian Reform Party’s regional branch in Tallinn decided not to vote in favour of ousting incumbent mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski of the Social Democratic Party (SDE). Reform demands that the city council abolish kindergarten fees and approve a supplementary…

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Lithuania: Three candidates running to lead Liberal Movement

Three politicians in Lithuania are running to lead the opposition Lithuanian Liberal Movement (LLS), BNS reports. The candidates are the party’s current chairperson, MP Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, who has led the party since 2019, MP and former culture minister Simonas Kairys, and Plunge mayor Audrius Klisonis. LLS will elect its chair for a two-year term through…

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Estonia: Entrepreneur withdraws bid to become Tallinn mayor

Estonian entrepreneur Urmas Sõõrumaa has withdrawn his candidacy for mayor of Tallinn, ERR reports. Earlier, Sõõrumaa proposed forming a technocratic city government that would follow guidelines from the Estonian Reform Party and the Estonian Centre Party (Keskerakond) until the local elections in October 2025. Reform’s current coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SDE), accused Reform…

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