The Latvian government has decided to extend the repayment period on a EUR 30mn emergency loan issued to the country’s national airline, airBaltic, until the end of 2026, LSM reports. The loan was due by the end of August 2026. Also, the government gave conceptual approval to buying an additional EUR 30mn of airBaltic’s bonds…
Latvia’s United List continues to oppose the ratification of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on violence against women, but is not committed to withdrawing from the treaty immediately, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated, LETA reports. He said that the question should not be made into a top political priority, given that the treaty had…
The Baltic States and Poland are preparing for possible Russian false-flag attacks against critical infrastructure, Reuters reports. Authorities have increased security measures at power and energy infrastructure facilities. A Baltic intelligence official expressed worry that a Russian attack could trigger “political chaos” at NATO headquarters and in allied capitals on how to respond. Latvia’s Constitution…
The Latvian government has launched “Operation Werewolf” to stop illegal border crossings from Belarus and Russia, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced, LSM reports. Latvia’s State Border Guard (VRS), State Police, State Security Service (VDD), Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD), and National Armed Forces (NBS) will exchange information on attempts to cross the border illegally…
Latvia has failed to reach targets set in the country’s addiction prevention plan for 2023-2025, the Ministry of Health announced, LETA reported. The ministry’s evaluation report attributed the incomplete implementation of the plan to the lack of government budget funding. The plan included 35 measures to reduce alcohol and drug use, of which 19 were…
Altogether 257,373 Latvian nationals lived abroad at the end of the first half of 2026, which was up 1.5% from 253,572 in the beginning of 2026, according to data from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), LETA reports. The number of Latvians in the UK totalled 102,086 (up by 950), followed by Germany…
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs criticised Interior Minister Janis Dombrava for a letter that the minister had sent to Spain over the recent border crisis in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, LETA reported. According to LTV, Spanish officials were irritated with Dombrava’s letter, which they found patronising and arrogant, LSM reported. Spanish officials expressed disappointment…
Latvia has reopened the border crossing in Patarnieki on the border with Belarus, the State Border Guard (VRS) announced, LETA reports. Earlier, the government decided not to approve the Interior Ministry’s proposal to close down the checkpoint, which is the only road border crossing that remains open on Latvia’s border with Belarus. However, Prime Minister…
The Latvian government has asked the State Chancellery to conduct a comprehensive analysis of state funding for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), LETA reports. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs alleged that NGOs were wasting taxpayer money, LSM reported. He suggested that state funding for NGOs created a conflict of interest, insisting that NGOs should not depend on state…
