Perhaps Lithuania may see a politician with initials K.K. coming into power in Lithuania soon? This week came with decisive developments for all three Baltic States. Estonia’s Kaja Kallas won the recent parliamentary elections and, similarly to Latvia’s Krišjānis Kariņš, earned another term in the government.
This new government in Estonia promises to be very liberal and slightly left-leaning. Results of municipal elections in Lithuania, meanwhile, already indicate some sort of a draft for the vote for next year’s Seimas elections. Latvia, meanwhile, was busy working with the state budget. Adoption of this vital plan allowed the government to finally start working on various tasks.
They say a triangle is the most stable structure, and after the mad night of the budget approval process it does seem likely the ruling coalition will be as stable. However, critics of the documents – economists and politologists – do criticise the government of the lack of strategic vision. As usual, politologist Filips Rajevskis was open and harsh in his words.
Playing the devil’s advocate for the government, let’s just say there was no room for visions and strategies in recent time: covid, vaccines and related scandal, anti-vaxers, the search for money to pay compensations, Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis.
Minister of Transport Jānis Vitenbergs announced that the problem of railway electrification can be resolved using ‘chargeable’ trains. Considering the failed experience of recent years, one can only hope his good intentions take shape at least during the term of the 14th Saeima. The government has already approved funding for this plan, so this iceberg is on the move.
Continuing on the topic of dreams: unfortunately EUR 220 million is too high a price to pay for army food procurement has fallen on its face. This piece of news overshadows any positives the week had for Latvia. This is a nightmare and will remain one for a long time. The silence from law enforcers only exacerbates the shame for troops and taxpayers in Latvia.
The unexpected visit of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Kazakhstan and the message delivered there to other countries of Central Asia is motivation for countries to «combine the useful with the pleasant». Because the stronger Latvian, Baltic and European economic ties are with these countries, the more they will be able to distance themselves from Russia.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Money without vision; Secret scandal; Battery trains; Busted; In Astana we trust; Kaja following Krišjānis; Left success; Nord Strike.
MONEY WITHOUT VISION
Politologists says he sees no state development in Latvia’s new budget
Politologist Filips Rajevskis. Photo: Gatis Dieziņš, Ministry of Defence/FlickrNeither the government declaration nor the approved state budget plan for 2023 provide any clear answer how to accomplish state development, said politologist and public relations specialist Filips Rajevskis.
He said the approved state budget is neither incredibly great nor incredibly bad. The problem is that the approved budget does not give the impression the government has a vision to speed up Latvia’s development.
Rajevskis mentioned the state budget is a language of numbers the government can use to explain political and economic intentions. However, the state budget for 2023 does not provide such a vision.
More here
SECRET SCANDAL
BNN IN FOCUS | minister dodges probing questions about scandalous Latvian army procurement
Latvian Ministry of Defence state secretary Jānis Garisons Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece. Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA«There is nothing else in this world that is lost as easily as public trust. Yes, I can feel this trust [in National Armed Forces] is lost, and we will have to work to restore it,» said Latvian Minister of Defence Ināra Mūrniece on Tuesday, the 7th of March, reporting to the media about the scandalous army food procurement worth EUR 220 million.
During the press-conference with her and the ministry’s state secretary Jānis Garisons there were true emotional outbursts, but no specifics. Mūrniece explained that «a certain law enforcement institution’s written request» has been received to prevent the release of detailed information about the procurement, so that it does not interfere with the investigation.
More here
BATTERY TRAINS
Latvian government provides funding towards Bolderaja «battery trains» procurement
Battery-powered trains at a railway station in Wimbledon, UK. Photo: George/FlickrOn Tuesday, the 7th of March, Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the allocation of pre-financing of EUR 74.4 million to the Ministry of Transport for the purposes of purchase of battery trains.
The government also approved the allocation of EUR 15.624 million to this project in order to cover VAT.
The report from the Ministry of Transport mentions that the investment into the procurement of battery trains will help provide better integration of the railway passenger transport network into Riga’s public transport system by creating a passenger railway route connecting Riga and Bolderaja, as well as introduce an option to use the rolling stock on the Riga-Sigulda route.
More here
BUSTED
Latvian blogger fined 12 400 euros for justifying Russian war crimes
Photo: Kirils Fjodorovs’ self-promotion image/FacebookLatvian prosecution office has fined blogger Kirils Fjodorovs EUR 12 400 for justifying crimes committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine and for hate speech against Ukrainians and Latvians.
Latvian State Security Service (VDD) commenced a criminal procedure against him on the 16th of March 2022 due to the content he posted on YouTube and Telegram channels.
Fjodorovs is accused of denial of war crimes, crimes against humanity and peace, as well as incitement to national and ethnic hate.
More here
IN ASTANA WE TRUST
US to strengthen strategic cooperation with Kazakhstan and Central Asia
Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev (right) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Photo: AP/SCANPIX/LETAUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced during his first official visit to Astana that the US is ready to strengthen its strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, creating closer economic cooperation with it and other countries in the Central Asian region, reports Reuters.
«I would like to emphasize that the strategic partnership between the United States of America and Kazakhstan is experiencing very rapid development. Since December 1991, when the US was the first country to recognize the independence of Kazakhstan, the US has been firmly committed to supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Kazakhstan and the countries of the entire region,» said Blinken.
He also emphasized that US businessmen were among the first to invest in Kazakhstan, with these investments exceeding 50 billion US dollars overall since 1991.
More here
KAJA FOLLOWING KRIŠJĀNIS
Liberal government forming in Estonia; EKRE challenges results of elections
Chairman of EKRE Martin Helme. Photo: Arvamusfestival/FlickrHaving won the parliamentary elections in Estonia, Reform Party led by PM Kaja Kallas is already hard at form composing a coalition with other liberal parties. Conservative People’s Party of Estonia, meanwhile, claims the victory was stolen in the election using e-ballots.
Kallas’ second government is expected to secure stable majority of 60 votes (reformists will have 37 seats, Estonia 200 will have 14, Social Democratic Party will have 9). Estonia’s parliament has a total of 101 seats.
According to reformists, the choice of partners is based on their shared views on security, the nation’s financial welfare and green transition policy.
More here
LEFT SUCCESS
BNN ANALYSES | Social Democrats bag victory in Lithuania’s local elections
Photo: 15min/SCANPIX/LETALinas Jegelevičius
Lithuania’s municipal council and mayoral elections on the 5th of March turned up victorious for the Social Democrats, now in the Parliament Seimas’ opposition, who scooped up 18 percent of all votes. They were followed by the Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (HU-LCD or Conservatives), who currently head the national government. Their tally was 16 percent.
The Farmers and Greens Union (LFGU), which is the biggest opposition party in the parliament, garnered 9 percent, followed by the Liberal Movement, 7 percent.
With 6.6 percent, the Democratic Union «For Lithuania», a new party led by former prime minister Saulius Skvernelis, was the fifth.
Meanwhile, Freedom party came empty-handed in the mayoral races, but managed to collect nine mandates in Vilnius’ new Council, down from 17 in the current Council.
Analysts say the performances give a hint how the parties are likely to score in the general election next year.
More here
NORD STRIKE
Security expert: News about Nord Stream could be a Russian misinformation campaign
Rainer Saks. Photo: Latvian Foreign Ministry/FlickrEstonian security expert Rainer Saks has indicated that the news about the Nord Stream sabotage could also be part of Russia’s disinformation campaign at a time when the European Union (EU) is discussing the production of projectiles for Ukraine, Estonian media ERR News writes.
German media have reported that investigative information about the explosion that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines points to Ukrainian involvement in the sabotage. In the published material, it is said that a yacht was found, which was rented from a company owned by Ukrainians. It is not known who chartered the yacht or who the divers were, as fake documents were used. Traces of explosives were found on the yacht.
Saks believes that it is a Russian information operation.
More here
BNN SUMMARY OF THE WEEK: Dull budget. Strategic Central Asia. Nord Strike
