May / 2026 Baltics Next Month Newsletter

A Wrangle Testing the Limits of Media Independence

Lithuania’s ruling coalition is attempting to pass a new vision for LRT, the National Broadcaster, into law. After its efforts were rejected as a clumsy attempt to gain political control over independent media, a major political wrangle has unfolded. Local journalists, the political opposition, and a dozen international journalism advocacy groups have taken up the cause of LRT’s independence. While the coalition continued to push for reform, its critics merged into one large “Hands off Freedom of Expression” campaign. In late April, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest the reform for the sixth time. Notably, the reform has attracted the attention of the EU’s Venice Commission, which promised to publish its final recommendations on the matter by the end of May. Both the coalition and the protesters also expect May to be their conclusive month.

Latvia at the Forefront of the Defence Overhaul

From the 22nd to the 26th of May, NATO Innovation Range will run live drone and counter-drone defence tests at Latvia’s Sēlija Training Ground—journalists are invited. The tests are part of the International Drone Coalition’s Drone Summit 2026. The Coalition, initiated by Latvia, involves twenty countries. It aims to foster Ukraine’s drone capabilities. The alliance’s support reached an impressive total of €2.75 billion by 2025. Latvia, meanwhile, continues to position itself as the drone hub of Europe and is leading the work to submit at least two cross-border procurement applications in the European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCI) framework. The EDPCIs are part of the European Commission’s European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP)—a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Peak of Tallinn Security Initiatives

With this year’s Nordic-Baltic Eight and Baltic Cooperation double chairmanship events, Tallinn has become the nucleus of Baltic Sea security cooperation. By this May, however, it will acquire two additional roles. From the 11th to the 13th of May, Tallinn hosts the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Annual Forum. The 2026 edition focuses on societal resilience. Additionally, from the 15th to the 17th of May, it will host the Lenart Meri Conference under the theme “Fortune Favours the Brave.” For the latter event, the largest number of high-level security experts and journalists ever in the Baltics are expected as speakers alongside high-ranking officials: the EU High Representative, the President and Foreign Affairs Minister of Estonia, the Moldovan President, the Prime Minister of Albania, and finally NATO’s Ingo Gerhartz—a relatively new operational-level commander responsible for the Eastern Flank and collective defence.

Paying to Keep Europe’s Biggest Pay Gap

By the 7th of June, member states must transpose the EU’s Pay Transparency Directive into national law. The Directive requires employers to disclose salary ranges before interviews and audit pay structures where the gap exceeds five per cent. Estonia’s Government Ministers, however, chose to resist the Directive, calling the new requirements “ideological” and “going against Estonia’s entrepreneurial spirit.” ​​Minister for Economic Affairs Erkki Keldo has even explained that paying a fine would be cheaper than the administrative burden on businesses. Meanwhile, Estonia’s gender pay gap stands at 18.8 per cent, the highest in the EU and well above the 11.1 per cent average, according to Eurostat. Notably, such statements come from a country led by a coalition of the Reformists and Social Democrats, which is otherwise attempting to build a progressive reputation. In May, the coalition will most likely concede, at least partially enacting the Directive. However, the future with them remains uncertain.

Transforming Historical Struggle into a Global Defence Narrative

On the 17th of May, Lithuania marks Army and Society Unity Day, honouring partisans who resisted the Second Soviet occupation. The main event will take place in Kėdainiai, with additional activities facilitated by the Riflemen Union (Šaulių Sąjunga), Lithuania’s largest paramilitary organisation. Over Unity Day, Riflemen will offer to take part in commemorative forest hikes called “Mossy Kilometres”. Ten of these hikes will take place across the country. This year, notably, for the first time, Riflemen diaspora sections will also organise hikes across Europe and the United States. Lithuania’s security visioneers have long sought to involve today’s diaspora in the country’s defence. The introduction of synchronised mossy hikes in the outskirts of Chicago, San Francisco, Oslo, and Paris—to only name a few—offers a promising first step.

Latvia Bets on the Intersection of Biology and Chemistry

In May, Latvia opens procedures for the merger of two highly-rated medical research institutes: The Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre and the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. The prospective outcome—a single National Research and Innovation Institute—will claim the status of the Baltic region’s most prominent life sciences centre. The new institution will continue to focus on biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, but is also expected to gain new ground in research fields where the disciplines of chemistry and biology meet. The merger consolidates over 400 researchers who will compete with their European counterparts in attracting clients and even more researchers to Latvia. In summary, starting from June, the country is making a strategic bet on life sciences.

Indisputable US Army Presence

While Washington debates the costs of NATO, the US Army will (again) lead the Baltic region’s largest military exercises. May is typically a month of massive drills in the Baltics. For instance, Estonia’s largest annual exercise, Spring Storm, calls up reservists to train with NATO troops. Latvia conducts the Mission Rehearsal Activity Spring Warrior, and Lithuania runs its own mysterious, but extensive exercises throughout the entire country. They all offer media opportunities. However, journalists interested in the largest military events in the Baltics should follow the US Army-led Sword 26’s Swift Response, taking place May 4–29th. Next in line is NATO’s main naval exercise BALTOPS 26, which will take place in the Baltic Sea through June. The US Navy’s Sixth Fleet is expected to lead it, regardless of what happens in Washington.

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