LRT English Newsletter – July 21, 2023.
The main news this week – the defence of nine trees growing in a beloved square that doubles as a cafe and a backdrop to a statue of the French novelist, Romain Gary. Several hundred people rallied to protest the trees’ planned removal, with some chanting for the city’s chief architect to be removed instead.
This latest case of tree controversy highlights what many see as a sign of corruption or a lack of safeguards against business interests. If you recall, there had already been a painful case of an old oak tree being felled. Countless other trees have already been destroyed, as activists rallied and often failed to stop their destruction. Lithuania’s forests have also been increasingly under threat.
The incident has been highly publicised as well as politicised, with the culture minister and the mayor of Vilnius capitalising on the popular sentiment, vowing to protect the trees. The prosecutor’s office is now also looking into the case.
If you are interested in this topic, we recommend watching an earlier documentary (in Lithuanian) published by LRT in two instalments (here and here). It traces the lukewarm attention given to environmental protection by Lithuanian officials.
UNPLUGGING
Lithuania is still connected to Moscow, partly. The power grid in the Baltic states, the so-called BRELL network, is controlled by Russia and also includes Belarus. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been moving toward uncoupling from the grid and linking their electricity networks to the continental European system.
The deal had been reached years ago, with Russia building an alternative ring that will only include Belarus. But, as soon as Minsk launched a Russian-constructed nuclear plant a mere 50 kilometres from Vilnius, Lithuania has been seeking to cut all ties as soon as possible. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year only added to the urgency.
The Baltic states already agreed to speed up the decoupling date to early 2025, but Lithuania is seeking an exit next year. Estonia’s authorities, however, say it would be damaging to the country, with potential blackouts and higher costs. Latvia has also said a solution should be found that works for all three countries. Discussions continue.
UPDATES AND EDITOR’S PICKS
– Rasa Jankauskaitė, nominated by the government as Lithuania’s ambassador to South Africa, said her main task was to “achieve full visa-free access for Lithuanian citizens”.
– The Kremlin has criticised Lithuania for wanting NATO troops on its soil, falsely claiming that Russia has never moved bases toward Europe. That is false.
– High-end cars continue to be shipped to Russia via Lithuania despite sanctions placed on luxury goods, the LRT Investigation Team reports.
– The decision to introduce shorter alcohol sale hours in Lithuania has led to a drop in male deaths on Sundays and Mondays, according to a new study.
– Lithuania looks to drop its controversial LGBTQ+ information law.
– Lithuania will send a team of 25 firefighters to Greece to help combat forest fires.
– Austėja Landsbergienė, the wife of Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, is the wealthiest public person in the country, according to the asset declarations published by the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) on Tuesday.
– Lithuanian ice-cream costs way more at home than in Latvia. Greedflation to blame?
– Prigozhin arrives in Belarus, activists say.
– Take a look at behind the scenes of the NATO summit, in pictures.
– Lithuania is marking the 90th anniversary of the legendary trans-Atlantic flight by two aviators, Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas, on their self-customised plane Lituanica.
– And what do we know about the two men and the myths surrounding their flight?
– Meanwhile, a man near Trakai shot at a hot air balloon.
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