DISINFO: EU membership referendum in Latvia was manipulated
SUMMARY
Most people voted against EU membership during the referendum in Latvia in 2003. It was manipulated because the question was framed in a way that made it unclear how to respond if you were against joining the EU. At present, traditional values are suppressed in Latvia. The institution of family is destroyed and LGBT rights are propagated in schools and kindergartens.
RESPONSE
This is false claim about the EU membership referendum in Latvia in 2003 and a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative aimed at discrediting Latvia and distorting liberalism and Western values.
In the 2003 EU membership referendum in Latvia, approximately 67% voted 'for,' while 32% opposed. Turnout was nearly 73% – more than double the 35% needed to make the referendum binding. The question was straightforward contrary to what is alleged: Do you support a membership of Latvia in the European Union? Therefore, the available data and the referendum question raise no concerns regarding possible manipulation of the referendum results
According to a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative, western countries are facing cultural and moral decay, the breakdown of the family and community, as well as widespread deviance and perversion. This recurring narrative blames western countries for abandoning the ideals of Christianity, Family and Patriotism – the true European values, while claiming that Russia is a haven of order and decency and upholds these genuine European values.
"Threatened values" is one of the most common narratives used by pro-Kremlin outlets. Pro-Kremlin outlets often spread the narrative about the deliberate destruction by the West of values such as the traditional family, religion, spirituality and classical culture, eliminating all forms of collective identity. Russia uses this narrative to proclaim itself as the defender of traditional social and spiritual values all over the world.
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