The Estonian Competition Authority (Konkurentsiamet) has approved a takeover of Tallinn’s municipal company, Tallinna Soojus, by private energy group Utilitas, ERR reports. Following the takeover, Tallinna Soojus and Utilitas will establish a new joint venture, Utilitas Tallinna Soojus, which will become the new parent company of Tallinna Soojus. Utilitas will own 66.66% and Tallinn municipality…
Residents of Bauska municipality in southern Latvia are worried about plans to build a large wind farm in Lithuania near the Skaistkalne sinkhole zone, LSM reports. Anita Rozentale, editor of the regional newspaper, Bauskas Dzive, said that the wind farm would be located only 1.2 km from the sinkhole area. There is a sinkhole zone…
The number of schools in Latvia’s capital city of Riga will be the same in the school year 2023/2024 as in the previous year, LSM reports. Riga will have altogether 101 schools. However, 7 schools will no longer have grades 10 to 12, and they will gradually become primary and secondary schools. The number of…
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…
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…
The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) remain the country’s most trusted institution, according to a new Baltijos Tyrimai poll for LRT. The survey showed that 76% of respondents had confidence in LGP in June 2023. Another 71% trust the police, followed by the Catholic church with 66%, the president with 66%, the State Social Insurance Fund…
Lithuania’s Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling of the Vilnius Regional Court in the Energy Ministry’s case against French energy group Veolia, Baltic News Network reports. The court rejected appeals from Veolia, Vilniaus Energija, and Litesko against the Energy Ministry’s claim of EUR 240mn in compensation for damages caused to the state. The Court…
Estonia’s state budget deficit is likely to be smaller than forecast in 2023, the Ministry of Finance announced, ERR reports. In the first five months of 2023, budget revenues increased more than expected due to the rapid growth of wages and rise in prices. Tax revenue was 10% higher than a year earlier. At the…
Parties in Latvia’s Riga City Council are still at odds with each other, acting mayor Vilnis Kirsis (New Unity) admitted, LETA reports. Following a meeting between New Unity and the combined faction of Movement For and the Progressives (PP), Kirsis said that “the spirit of compromise and cooperation had yet to be born on a…