Estonian political scientist Andres Kasekamp is certain that the victory of populist Labour Party in Lithuanian Seimas elections endanger Baltic States’ cooperation and raises doubts on realization of joint projects in infrastructure, delfi.lt reports.
“It can be stated that the current election results in Lithuania are unwelcome not only for Estonia, but for the entire region,” said Andres Kasekamp, the director of Estonian Foreign Policy Institute and the professor at the University of Tartu.
“Andrus Ansip, Valdis Dombrovskis and Andrius Kubilius were a kind of Baltic Dream Team,” said the political scientist and added that the three prime ministers had great mutual trust and similar worldviews. All three raised the same goals for themselves.
Kasekamp said it is natural that there were disagreements on some issues between the Baltic States. “Few people realized how effective the inner Baltic collaboration was. We were able to grumble, even mock each other, but no one has noticed that over the past four years the Baltic States achieved the top of their collaboration,” said the political scientist and added that when there is no mutual understanding between government leaders, the common objectives and cooperation are suffering.
Kasekamp predicts that the new government will probably not increase expenses on defence to achieve the NATO standards. “This will not improve the security in the Baltic States”, said the interviewee.
Political scientist noted that forces that won the election in Lithuania are against saving policy, which is being implemented by all three Baltic States. In addition, the winners promised a substantial increase in social spending.
Kasekamp fears that Lithuania can distance itself from the common Baltic projects, such as the nuclear power plant or even Rail Baltica.
“It is unlikely that the new coalition will quickly implement these projects. It is possible they will not undertake them at all,” summarized the Estonian political scientist.
Translated by Sandra Dijokaitė
