Baltic Roundup | April 2024
A new tourism campaign for Vilnius is about breaking stereotypes. But “expectations” of reactions to the bold marketing campaign might not match the “reality.”
Dear readers
A new tourism campaign for Vilnius is about breaking stereotypes. But “expectations” of reactions to the bold marketing campaign might not match the “reality.” Now, a look back at April in the region.
Politics
Baiba Braže, a career diplomat and former NATO assistant secretary general for public diplomacy, replaced Krišjānis Kariņš as Latvian foreign minister after Kariņš stepped down over the controversy surrounding chartered flights during his premiership. Kariņš returns to the Saeima as a deputy. Braže's first official stop in her new post was Kyiv.
On May 12, Lithuanians will head to the polls for presidential elections. While eight candidates are registered, including Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė (Union of Fatherland-Christian Democrats), expectations are high that incumbent Gitanas Nausėda (independent) will be reelected in the first round. Here's a round up of candidates' stance on hot-button issues. Also on the ballot is a referendum to amend Lithuanian citizenship laws.
The Reform Party, Social Democratic Party (SDE), Isamaa and Eesti 200 formed a new coalition to govern Tallinn following the ouster of the Center Party's Mikhail Kõlvart as mayor. It is the first time in 20 years that the Center Party is not included in the coalition. Incoming Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski (SDE) survived an early challenge from opposition parties Center and EKRE. For the Baltic Bulletin, Sam Kramer discusses what the turmoil in Tallinn could mean for the Center Party.
Latvia's New Unity party has asked corruption watchdog KNAB to look into claims of a pre-election agitation campaign against the party. Several alleged scandals involving Unity have been recently published, including allegations of off-the-books wages, the illegal use of a SOAAR IT system, and an attempt to falsify 2014 election results — a claim by Renārs Kadžulis, head of SOAAR. SOAAR also appears in a criminal case regarding fraud of funds from the Central Election Commission.
Foreign Affairs and Security
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy went on a working visit to Vilnius, where he met with Nausėda and signed a security and long-term support agreement with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs. Prior to the ultimately successful vote in the US House of Representatives, Baltic leadership urged Speaker Mike Johnson and Congress to pass critical aid to Ukraine in a joint statement.
Finnair suspended flights to Tartu after experiencing GPS interference that prevented landing. Estonian authorities blamed Russia for signals jamming, calling it a “hybrid attack,” the likes of which have been heightened since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The Center for Geopolitical Studies Riga has published Latvia's Security Barometer for the first quarter of 2024. Former Latvian President Valdis Zatlers has written a series of op-eds on Russian President Vladimir Putin and the threat Russia poses, including for The Michigan Daily and Stars and Stripes.
The Baltic countries celebrated two decades in NATO at the end of March, while the alliance itself marked 75 years in April. The Financial Times published an in-depth report on Baltic defense. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, seen as the front runner for the top NATO position, gave an interview to LRT.
Economy
Year-over-year analysis of Q1 shows Estonia's economy shrank by 2.1%, while Lithuania's economy grew by 2.9%, and Latvia's economy had no significant change.
While the Latvian government has urged businesses to cut ties with Russia since the full scale invasion of Ukraine, Re:Baltica reports that some companies aren't falling in line. The investigative news site has published lists of the biggest exporters and importers.
Lithuania's partnership with Taiwan has not made up for the loss in trade between Vilnius and Beijing as some had hoped. In an interview with LRT, the head of the Taiwanese representative office gives an overview of the work.
Aitäh, paldies and ačiū,
Indra Ekmanis
Baltic Bulletin Editor
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