The Latvian government made a decision in 2015 to include international railway stations at Riga Central Station and Riga International Airport (RIX) in the Rail Baltica project, according to the Ministry of Transport, LETA reports. The then government approved a plan to build the project’s most complex objects first so that they would be available…
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics is emulating former president Vaira Vike-Freiberga by seeking support directly from society, rather than relying on political elites, according to political analyst Filips Rajevskis, LETA reports. Rajevskis notes that Rinkevics is positioning himself as a mediator between citizens and the political elite. Although his role lacks direct power, the president’s extensive…
China’s Special Representative on European Affairs, Wu Hongbo, has paid a visit to Latvia, LETA reports. Wu met with Dace Melbarde, parliamentary secretary of Latvia’s Foreign Ministry, and Katarina Platere, head of the ministry’s bilateral relations directorate. The officials discussed bilateral dialogue, cooperation in specific sectors and international organisations, and regional security. The Foreign Ministry…
Latvians are very enthusiastic to take part in national defence, the commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), Lieutenent General Leonids Kalnins, stated, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Kalnins said that the public had shown “enormous interest” in the recently announced open application for basic military training for reservists. Also, interest…
Latvia’s state-owned postal services provider, Latvijas Pasts, has reversed its decision to close down more than half of its post offices, LETA reports. The company will only close down 12 post offices in places where the number of post offices exceeds the requirements on universal postal services. Latvijas Pasts plans to relocate post offices in…
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has successfully distanced himself from his former party, New Unity and established his own independent identity, according to political scientist Lelde Metla-Rozentale of Riga Stradins University, LETA reports. While New Unity voters still associate Rinkevics with the party, his work is highly regarded across various voter groups, including those from the…
Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has ordered the opposition National Alliance to pay back to the state EUR 210,673 of state budget financing that the party had spent illegally, LETA reports. Also, KNAB halted the payment of state support to the party for one year. In 2022, the National Alliance spent EUR 554,727…
The Latvian language expert commission of the State Language Centre (VVC) has rejected a proposal to allow the lowercase spelling of “Russia,” LETA reports. The experts noted that the lowercase spelling was acceptable in informal individual correspondence but not in official communication. Meanwhile, the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) continues to spell “russia” in lowercase….
Around 5,000 NATO troops from various member states will be stationed in Latvia in the coming years, Defence Minister Andris Spruds announced, LETA reports. The troops will be part of an expanded multinational brigade set to be battle-ready by 2026. The Canada-led brigade will be primarily based at the Adazi military base, with headquarters in…