Baltic Members of the European Parliament and Debates on Memory, Between Political Strategy and Personal Engagement (2004-2009)

After the 2004 enlargement of the European Union to 10 new members, including 8 former communist states, new debates emerged about the European interpretation of the past. At the European Parliament, these debates had an impact on the former consensus on the common fight against Nazism with a discussion of Stalinist crimes. As Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been occupied by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, the MEPs from these countries are very sensitive to these issues. The study of their activity between 2004 and 2009 shows that these debates have not been the only way for small delegations to find their place in the institution. Nevertheless, they have been very active. Their activity can be best explained by the salience of these issues in internal politics and bilateral relations with Russia. In addition, it seems as well that their involvement is not only a question of political strategy, but also the will of personal testimony and fidelity to familial history.