NATO Expert Clarified How Russia May Attempt to Influence Elections in Latvia This Fall - EUROPE SAYS
Избирательная урнаAccording to Alekseeva, the scenario previously observed in Armenia and Moldova is unlikely to occur in Latvia. She believes that the open attempts at interference in those countries were. . .
Избирательная урнаAccording to Alekseeva, the scenario previously observed in Armenia and Moldova is unlikely to occur in Latvia. She believes that the open attempts at interference in those countries were too noticeable and ultimately helped voters recognize external influence. “The fact that Russian influence was so obvious helped Armenians and Moldovans mobilize and make their choice,” the researcher noted. In her assessment, Latvia may focus on spreading messages through Telegram and TikTok. Then, these publications, as the expert suggests, will be picked up and spread further, including through anonymous comments on news websites. Alekseeva stated that she does not expect the use of such methods in Latvia that, in her opinion, were applied in other countries. In particular, she considers it unlikely that Russian representatives will arrive in the country to organize political activity or finance protest participants. The researcher also suggested that individual former Latvian politicians and public figures who have left the country and currently reside in Russia or Belarus may participate in spreading such messages. She cited Andrei Mamykina and Alexey Roslikov as examples. According to the expert, one of the central themes of the election campaign may again be the ethnic question, which traditionally mobilizes different groups of voters. Additionally, she expects the emergence of messages based on familiar Kremlin narratives about the confrontation between Russia and the West. In recent years, information security specialists have repeatedly warned that influence on public opinion is increasingly being carried out not through direct agitation but through social networks, messengers, and the spread of viral content. According to Alekseeva, this approach is the most likely during the current campaign in Latvia. The elections to the Saeima of Latvia will take place this fall, and issues of information security and potential external influence have already become one of the topics of the pre-election discussion. Tags:JaunumilatviaLatvija