A report of the Latvian government’s internal review commission on the progress of the Rail Baltica railway project has revealed that the state-owned company, Eiropas Dzelzcela Linijas, failed to consult independent experts on important decisions, LETA and LSM reported. The commission report analysed two suspended construction projects on a railway bridge across the Daugava river…
Latvia’s annual inflation rate reached 2.9% in April 2026, compared to the corresponding period of 2025, according to the Central Statistical Bureau’s (CSP) data, LSM reports. The rise in inflation was mainly influenced by increases in the prices of fuel, heating, electricity, health care, and catering and accommodation services. Compared to March 2026, average consumer…
Estonia’s President, Alar Karis, has appointed new Estonian ambassadors to several European countries, ERR reports. Estonia’s new ambassador to Latvia will be Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk, replacing Eerik Marmei. The new ambassador to Hungary will be Jana Vanamölder, who will replace Raul Toomas. Siiri Königsberg was appointed ambassador to Moldova, replacing Aune Kotli, while Tiina Intelmann will…
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that drones which recently crashed in Latvian territory came from Ukraine, Ukrinform reported. Sybiha said that Russian electronic warfare had deliberately diverted the drones from their intended targets in Russia. He said that Ukraine was ready to send specialists to the Baltic States and Finland to prevent such incidents….
Latvia’s foreign trade turnover totalled EUR 10.85bn at current prices in the first quarter of 2026, which was up EUR 113.8mn (1.1%) from the corresponding period of 2025, according to provisional data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reports. The total value of exports amounted to EUR 4.97bn (down 1.7%) and of imports to…
Latvia’s left-of-centre party, the Progressives, will not leave the country’s three-party coalition government for now, Andris Suvajevs, leader of the party’s parliamentary group, announced, LETA reports. However, he insisted that Prime Minister Evika Silina, head of the ruling New Unity party, was unable to lead the government. The Progressives will invite Silina for talks. Meanwhile,…
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda were by far the most visible Baltic political leaders in Western media in 2025, according to a survey by Estonia’s Government Office, The Baltic Sentinel reports. The survey looked at mentions of Baltic presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defence ministers in US, British, German,…
Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spruds has stepped down after Prime Minister Evika Silina demanded that he resign, LSM reports. Silina announced that she had lost trust in the minister due to his mishandling of recent incursions of Ukrainian drones and the broader situation in the defence sector, LETA reported. Silina said that her adviser, Colonel…
Latvia has received the fourth or penultimate payment of EUR 371.2mn from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, LSM reports. The European Commission approved the successful implementation of 41 specific reforms and investments set out in Latvia’s national recovery plan. Latvia has already received almost EUR 1.5bn (75%) of the total EUR 1.97bn recovery funds…