Living with Strangers: Three Different Waves of Migrants in the Rhetoric of Lithuanian Officials (2020–2023)
摘要
This chapter examines the rhetoric employed by Lithuanian officials regarding three distinct waves of migration to Lithuania between 2020 and 2023. These waves include Belarusian political refugees fleeing repression, migrants from the Middle East and Africa orchestrated by the Lukashenka regime, and Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion. By analysing official communication channels, this study identifies how each wave was described and how these framings shaped public perceptions and policy responses. The study reveals how pre-existing cultural and historical contexts, alongside political motivations, influenced the reception of these migrants and refugees. This tailored rhetoric served to legitimise specific political decisions and actions taken by the Lithuanian authorities. Examining these dynamics within the Lithuanian context, this study concludes that a comprehensive understanding of the current migration waves to Lithuania merits further comparative research into broader political discourse, media narratives, and public opinion, particularly within social media, among other dimensions, contextualising Lithuanian experiences within a wider context of Central and Eastern Europe.