Baltic Roundup: August 2023

August 2023

Soviet troops leaving Lithuania in 1993. Source: Flickr - Thomas Cizauskas

Dear readers, 

Thirty years ago, the last Russian troops left Lithuania on Aug. 31, 1993. Here's a look back at August in the region this year.

POLITICS

In a surprise announcement, Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity), Latvia's longest-serving prime minister, announced his resignation in mid-August, just days after indicating his intent to form a new government. He accused current coalition partners — the United List and the National Alliance — of trying to “brake the dynamism” of the government. President Edgars Rinkēvičs nominated Welfare Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) to form the next government, which looks to include the Union of Greens and Farmers (the party of US-sanctioned oligarch Aivars Lembergs) and the Progressives in a smaller coalition, after negotiations to include the United List and NA fell apart. 

In Estonia, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is under scrutiny after news broke that her husband, Arvo Hallik, was a partial owner of a logistics company still trading with Russia — despite Kallas' prominence as one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine in the war. Kallas has denied having knowledge about her husband's business dealings; Hallik has since distanced himself from the firm. While opposition politicians press for her resignation, Kallas says she has no plans to step down. Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are tracking businesses that continue working in or exporting to Russia and Belarus.

SECURITY

Following a meeting of interior ministers, the Baltic countries and Poland said they may seal their borders with Belarus. The ministers demanded Wagner mercenaries leave the Russia-aligned country and that migrants be removed from their border areas. Lithuania has already closed some checkpoints, but Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus' opposition, urged the country to maintain a humanitarian corridor for countrymen fleeing the Belarusian regime under Alyaksandr Lukashenka, noting that the “prospect of European integration provides a counterbalance to the 'Russian world' in Belarus.” In Latvia and Poland, recruitment attempts by Wagner Group were reported. Read more about the Wagner Group from FPRI: Prigozhin’s Death and the Future of Putin’s Rule.

Lithuania is looking at modifying its conscription policies, removing exemptions for students, but opening the possibilities of shorter service periods for some and extending financial incentives. In July, Latvia launched its state defense service, part of the country's reintroduction to conscription. While the first draft was voluntary, as of 2024 service will be compulsory. A June survey indicates 61% support the return to mandatory service.   

CLIMATE

Extreme storms across the region in August felled trees, downed electricity lines, and saw hail the size of eggs batter buildings, cars, and farm equipment. At least two people were reported dead in Latvia and Lithuania. For farmers, storms are taking a heavy toll on an already tenuous harvest. All three countries also recorded record-breaking nighttime temperatures. It's part of a new normal as the climate changes. On the flip side, Estonia is ranked in the top 10 of the energy transition index from the World Economic Forum. And Latvia reported the lowest monthly electricity consumption since 2005 in July. The decline is due to increases in microgeneration and solar power plants.

SOCIETY

Russian citizens with permanent residence permits in Latvia who have not passed a Latvian language exam as of Sept. 1 may be expected to leave the country by Dec. 2. The government is considering extending the grace period for those who have yet to meet the requirements to renew their permits, though some have protested the move. And, with the start of the new school year comes the transition to instruction in Latvian for some minority schools — but there are doubts that teachers are ready.

In sports, Latvia and Lithuania made waves at the FIBA World Cup. 

Aitäh, paldies and ačiū,

Indra Ekmanis
Baltic Bulletin Editor

CALL FOR ARTICLES 
 

FPRI invites article contributions for the Baltic Bulletin. We are particularly interested in pieces covering NATO, support for Ukraine, cybersecurity, and domestic politics. We welcome pitches at iekmanis@fpri.org.

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