Local elections in Lithuania

Success in the capital, loss in the countryside

Local elections were held in Lithuania on March 5, 2023. The final runoff elections were held on March 19, 2023. Sixteen political parties and 32 political committees participated in the voting. Their representatives competed for the 1,498 municipal council seats and 60 mayoral seats. Voter turnout was 48.97 percent, a slight increase. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party emerged as the winner of the local elections. The capital Vilnius was won by the Christian Democrats. Party leader Landsbergis is no longer running for party chairman.

The Three Baltic States: Political and Social Impact One Year After the Start of Russia's War of Aggression against Ukraine

Determination and unity

Russia's unprovoked war of aggression on Ukraine has led to great determination and unity in all three Baltic states.

Brief: Germany, Russia, and Energy Politics

Fifth and final brief in the Germany and Baltic Security Series

Together with the ICDS-International Centre for Defence and Security, we introduce a collection of policy briefs titled “Germany and the Security of the Baltic States”. In this concluding brief Kalev Stoicescu examines Germany's relations with Russia, also taking into account energy dependence.

Brief: German-US Relations and the Security of the Baltic States

Fourth brief in the Germany and Baltic Security Series

Together with the ICDS-International Centre for Defence and Security, we introduce a collection of policy briefs titled “Germany and the Security of the Baltic States”. The fourth brief, written by Marko Mihkelson, covers Germany's relations with the US, and what it means for the Baltics.

Brief: Germany’s Position on CSDP: Is There Anything for the Baltics?

Third brief in the Germany and Baltic Security Series

Together with the ICDS-International Centre for Defence and Security, we introduce a collection of policy briefs titled “Germany and the Security of the Baltic States”. The third brief, written by Margarita Šešelgytė and Emilė Indrašiūtė, takes a look at Germany's engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Brief: Baltic Perspectives on Germany’s Role in NATO

Second brief in the Germany and Baltic Security Series

Together with the ICDS-International Centre for Defence and Security, we introduce a collection of policy briefs titled “Germany and the Security of the Baltic States”. The second brief, written by Justinas Juozaitis, covers how the Baltic States see Germany's role in NATO.

Brief: Baltic States’ Expectations Regarding Germany’s Role in Baltic Security

Together with the ICDS-International Centre for Defence and Security, we introduce a collection of policy briefs titled “Germany and the Security of the Baltic States”. The first brief, written by Toms Rostoks, covers what the Baltic States would like to see in Germany's contribution to the security of the Baltics.

Reactions to the Belarusian provocations

Lithuania at the center of Belarusian provocations and illegal migration

One week after the preliminary apogee of the Belarusian provocations against Lithuania and the EU with a high number of illegal migrants at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border and verbal threats of possible terrorist attacks in Lithuania, the arrival of illegal migrants to Lithuania has initially stopped. However, this situation has led to consequences for the neighboring states of Latvia and Poland. Lukashenka continues to try to destabilize the situation. He wants to prevent illegal migrants from returning to Belarus. In a special session on August 10, the Lithuanian parliament made far-reaching decisions to deal with the crisis. It was decided to build a physical barrier and expand military powers. Not only the EU, but also NATO are now asked to provide support in the crisis.

Illegal migration as a political weapon

About the situation on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border

The Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly threatened the EU to allow refugees from war zones to enter the EU in response to the sanctions imposed on his country. The main target is Lithuania, which has an almost 680 kilometer long and mostly unprotected border with Belarus. The increase in illegal migrant flows from Iraq and African countries is actively promoted by the Belarusian regime. According to Ylva Johansson, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, this is not just a migration crisis, but an act of aggression aimed at destabilization.

Thirty Years since the January Bloodshed in Lithuania

Lithuania marks the Freedom Defenders’ Day on January 13th to commemorate the 14 victims that lost their lives during Soviet aggression exactly thirty years ago in Vilnius. The tragic events were of international significance as they marked the coming end of the Soviet Union. To this day, the memory of the bloodshed also reveals the stark divides between the Baltic States and Russia.