Latvia voted to demolish a WWII memorial. Or did they?
The
Russian media reported on
June 13 that the Parliament of Latvia decided to demolish the Victory
Monument in Riga, which honors the Soviet Army’s victory over Nazi
Germany in World War II. The news was false, but gained significant
resonance within Latvia’s Russian speaking community and
Kremlin-friendly media.The latest incident shows how Moscow uses
controversy to stoke the anger of Latvia’s
Russian-speakingcommunity.
In fact, on June 13, the Latvian
parliament voted on reviewing a document which
calls for the demolition of the Victory Monument. It had been
submitted by Latvian citizen Uģis Polis through manabalss.lv, a
platform dedicated to public initiatives. It was signed by over
10,000 citizens, the requirement for submission to Parliament, and
then given to Saeima’s committees for further consideration.
The story about the monument resonated throughout the Russian community because that group regards the monument as a symbol of the Soviet Union’s strength and the symbol of its victory in World War II. Citizens of Latvia who hold pro-Kremlin views, or are easily convinced of Russia’s pursued narratives and geopolitical goals, threaten Latvia’s national security.
