Are Linkaits and “Latvija first” politicians misleading about the wood heating ban / Article

Last week, posts appeared on social media “X” that , briquettes and pellets. An image from the Energy Law amendment project was used as evidence. They state that renovated and newly built single-apartment houses will have to use renewable energy resources or emission-free heat supply technology.

Social media posts omit that firewood, briquettes and pellets are biomass, which is considered a renewable resource. It is determined by both the Energy Law and the relevant European Union directive. Therefore, they will be allowed to be used for heating in the future.

Despite this, the false claims were amplified by several politicians. One entry was republished by Tālis Linkaits, the number one candidate of the New Conservative Party in the European Parliament elections: “The green course is already on the doorstep: plans to ban the heating of firewood, briquettes and pellets.”

Linkait’s post was uncritically retold by LA.lv portal. Its title, in turn, was republished by a number of representatives of the “Latvija first” party.

Its leader, Ainārs Šlesers, wrote on Facebook: “For Latvia, the EU plans to ban the use of firewood, briquettes and pellets for heating! Well, Latvia, with 50% of its territory covered by forests, the EU wants to ban even the use of firewood for heating! I believe that the GREEN course can help Latvia lead to bankruptcy!”

The leader’s statement was republished by Saeima MPs Ramona Petraviča and Edmunds Zivtiņš and several other party candidates in the European Parliament elections.

When asked why he did not check the information before writing, Linkaits replied that he relied on what experts said and the information available on the website of the Saeima. However, as indicated above, the amendment draft available on the Saeima’s website does not provide for a ban.

Schleser did not respond to Re:Check’s email and did not correct his social media posts.

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