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.

Source: https://www.cepa.org/the-vanishing-act

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