Latvia’s ruling New Unity party retained its lead in opinion polls in July 2023, according to the latest SKDS survey, LSM reports. New Unity had the support of 12.6% of respondents, which was up from 11.5% in June 2023. The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) came in second with 8.0% support (7.5%), followed by…
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics called for a review of existing electricity distribution tariffs, LSM reports. Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, Rinkevics said that the behaviour of the market regulator, the Public Utilities Commission (SPRK), was “unacceptable.” He insisted that the increase in electricity tariffs was “disproportionate.” The new tariffs came into…
Latvia’s average level of consumer prices increased by 6.4% in July 2023, compared to the corresponding period in 2022, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau, LSM reports. Consumer prices were mainly influenced by the rise in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices and of goods and services related to housing, as well as by…
The UK flag carrier, British Airways, will resume flights from Latvia’s Riga International Airport to London Heathrow Airport as of 29 October 2023, LSM reports. The company will have three flights per week on the route. Fredis Bikovs, director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (Live Riga), said that the flights would be important…
One person died and eight were injured during a severe thunderstorm in Latvia on 7 August 2023, LETA reports. Wind speeds reached up to 33 m/s in areas. The Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) had to provide assistance to people who were injured by falling trees and heavy hail. The storm and lightning caused major damage…
The volume of beer produced in the Baltic States declined in 2022, according to data published by Eurostat, LSM reports. Lithuanian breweries produced a total of 329 million litres of beer in 2022, which was down from 334 million litres in 2021. Beer production in Estonia amounted to 134 (145) million litres and in Latvia…
Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has carried out probes at the state-owned postal company, Latvijas Pasts, LETA reports. KNAB refused to provide further information about the ongoing investigation. The agency stressed that there were no criminal proceedings involving employees of Latvijas Pasts currently. Marcis Vilcans, board chairman of Latvijas Pasts, said that the…
Latvia’s national air carrier, airBaltic, has no plans to buy Estonian airline Nordica, ERR reports. Martin Gauss, CEO of airBaltic, said that the company’s business plan did not foresee any acquisitions. Moreover, the terms of EU aid to the airline did not allow the company to acquire other airlines, he pointed out. Gauss said that…
The chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of the Baltic parliaments — Marko Mihkelson from Estonia, Rihards Kols from Latvia, and Zygimantas Pavilionis from Lithuania — will pay a joint visit to Taiwan, ERR reports. They will meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, Legislative Yuan president You Si-kun, Prime Minister Chen Chien-jen, Foreign Minister Joseph…
