Speakers of the parliaments of six countries bordering Russia will meet in the southern Estonian city of Tartu on 3 February 2025 to discuss further support for Ukraine and legislative means to counter Russia’s hybrid warfare, LSM reports. The parliamentary speakers will also discuss relations with the US and the situation in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia,…
Latvia’s state administration will end remote work, Raivis Kronbergs, director of the State Chancellery, announced, LSM reports. He said that ministries and subordinate institutions would amend their internal regulations accordingly. Job advertisements will still be able to offer remote work as an option. Kronbergs noted that current premises do not have room for all employees….
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics plans to propose lowering the threshold for holding public referendums on legislative changes, LSM reports. Rinkevics discussed the issue with Prime Minister Evika Silina and leaders of parliamentary groups, LETA reported. He will invite constitutional experts to join the discussions. Edmunds Jurevics, leader of New Unity’s parliamentary group, and Harijs Rokpelnis,…
German aviation group Lufthansa Group will become a strategic investor in Latvia’s national air carrier, airBaltic, LSM reports. Under the deal, Lufthansa will acquire 10% of shares in airBaltic for EUR 14mn. The group plans to close the deal in the second quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approval. The shares will be converted into…
Latvia’s total retail trade turnover rose by 1% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to calendar-adjusted data at constant prices published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reports. The annual turnover of retail trade in food products decreased by 1.6%, whereas retail trade of non-food products (except automotive fuel) increased by 2.3%. Retail sales…
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has passed in final reading amendments further limiting alcohol sales and advertising as of 1 August 2025, LSM reports. Under the amendments, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be permitted from 10am to 8pm on Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 6pm on Sunday, thus reducing the availability of…
The four policy priorities of Latvia’s coalition government in 2025 are “security, support for families, economic growth, and reducing bureaucracy,” Prime Minister Evika Silina announced, LSM reports. She will begin individual meetings with ministers to discuss the priorities, according to LETA. Silina said that national security remained the government’s most pressing priority, highlighting the need…
Latvia will have to raise its defence budget to at least 4% of GDP in the coming years, President Edgars Rinkevics stated, LSM reports. Speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina, Rinkevics insisted that the current defence spending of 3.45% of GDP was not enough. He noted that Latvia had “a rather serious problem”…
Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has opened an investigation into possible conflict of interest involving Martin Gauss, CEO of the country’s national airline, airBaltic, LETA reports. KNAB said that it opened the probe after receiving applications from private individuals. Earlier, Girts Lapins, spokesman for the opposition National Alliance, reported that Gauss owns a…