Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has begun official talks on forming a new government by meeting with leaders of his United List alliance and its current coalition partners, the National Alliance and New Unity, LETA reports. Kulbergs said that the parties had reached a consensus on improving public administration, reviewing ministry functions, and putting public…
Estonia plans to build about 150 bunkers in the northeastern Ida-Virumaa county along the border with Russia, Defence Minister Martin Herem announced, BNS reported. Speaking in the Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, Herem said that the bunkers would be part of the Baltic Defence Line. Around 100 of the bunkers would be on state land and…
The Estonian parliament, the Riigikogu, has lowered the voting age and minimum age for candidates in elections to the European Parliament as of 2029, ERR reports. The amendments will lower the voting age from the current 18 to 16 years and the minimum age for candidates from 21 to 18 years. MPs from the Estonian Reform…
The Latvian government has extended a ban on chartered bus tours to Russia and Belarus for one year until 31 October 2027, LSM reports. The ban applies to all bus operators, regardless of the country of registration of the vehicle. The government pointed to the need to ensure the safety of residents and the risk…
Estonian President Ülle Madise has appointed Paavo Nõgene as director of the Office of the President, ERR reports. Previously, Nõgene served as secretary general of the Ministry of Culture and CEO of the Estonian shipping company, Tallink. Earlier, Rainer Saks joined Madise’s team as her defence and national security adviser, ERR reported. Saks is a member…
Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science plans to incorporate family values and health literacy into the country’s national education curriculum, LETA reports. The new teaching module is scheduled to be developed by May 2027. Critics, including the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA), have voiced concerns that the planned educational content could…
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has passed urgent amendments to the law regulating the Latvian Public Service Media (LSM), LSM reports. Under the changes, LSM will be required to retain the historical names of its radio and TV channels, Latvijas Radio and Latvijas Televizija (LTV). Also, Latvijas Radio’s and LTV’s news services will have to…
The secretary general of the Estonian Foreign Ministry, Jonatan Vseviov, announced that he would resign and run for parliament in elections due in March 2027, ERR reports. Vseviov will represent the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDE). SDE chairman Lauri Läänemets will propose that Vseviov be nominated as the party’s candidate for prime minister. Läänemets will…
Latvia’s state budget for 2027 will implement a policy of austerity, control, and reform, Finance Minister Maris Kucinskis announced, LSM reports. Speaking in an interview with Latvijas Radio, Kucinskis said that the government would freeze budget spending and public sector wages. At the same time, the government did not intend to raise taxes in 2027,…
