Latvia has currently around 50,000 unemployed people, which is an all-time low, according to data from the State Employment Agency (NVA), LETA reports. The country’s unemployment rate now stands at 5.6%, which is down from 6.3% in the beginning of 2023. Evita Simsone, director of NVA, noted that the small number of unemployed created problems…
Experts expect the growth of food prices in Latvia to continue falling, LETA reports. Noris Kruzitis, head of the Latvian Food Retailers Association (LPTA), projected that the growth of food prices would continue to slow down by 3-4 percentage points in the coming months. Inguna Gulbe, head of the Agricultural Market Promotion Centre (LTVC), said…
Latvian capital Riga’s acting mayor, Vilnis Kirsis (New Unity), has invited all political groups in the current ruling coalition in the Riga City Council for talks to form a new coalition on 25 July 2023, LETA reports. Kirsis suggested that the talks could be held either with each political group individually or with all groups…
The movements of the Russian private military company, Wagner Group, in Belarus do not present any direct threat to Latvia, the Ministry of Defence stated, LETA reports. The ministry noted that Latvia’s national security authorities have been on high alert ever since Russia started its full invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said…
Estonia has blocked a decision on the redistribution of seats in the European Parliament, LETA reports. All EU member states except Estonia have agreed on the redistribution, which would provide more seats to several member states. Estonia demanded that Spain, which holds the EU presidency, explain the calculation for the seat redistribution.
Joint policy coordination among the three Baltic States was crucial in the current geopolitical situation, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LETA reports. Speaking during an official visit to Lithuania, Rinkevics noted that Latvia and Lithuania shared common interests in terms of EU and NATO policy, strengthening security and defence capabilities, ensuring energy security and independence,…
Coordinated action by the Baltic States was essential to synchronise their power grids with the continental European system, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LETA reports. Rinkevics discussed the synchronisation project with Climate and Energy Minister Raimonds Cudars. Earlier, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged Rinkevics to speed up the synchronisation project, LETA reported. Speaking after a…
Latvia’s retail sector has had no competition, especially in grocery trade, for years, Agriculture Minister Didzis Smits stated, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Smits asserted that retailers could set markups of 300% plus VAT on local produce and still compete, which he said was “abnormal” and “unpatriotic.” He insisted that in such…
Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has conducted a search at the Sigulda municipal council as part of ongoing criminal proceedings, LETA reports. Municipal spokespersons refused to disclose more details, however. According to sources, one municipal councillor and a local businessman were implicated in the criminal investigation. LTV reported that the investigation was looking…