Russian-speaking MPs representing the Latvian opposition party, For Stability, have been fined repeatedly for failure to speak the official state language sufficiently, LSM reports. The State Language Centre (VVC) has issued several administrative fines to MPs representing For Stability for not using Latvian to the extent necessary for the performance of their professional and official…
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has supported in first reading amendments that would ban vehicles with Belarusian licence plates in the country, LSM reports. Under the proposed amendments, vehicles registered in Belarus would have to be transferred out of the country or reregistered in Latvia by 31 October 2024 at the latest. Otherwise, the vehicle…
The National Audit Office of Estonia (Riigikontroll) found significant errors in the 2023 state budget act despite the overall accuracy of the state’s financial accounts, ERR reports. Key issues included incorrect recording of transactions in the budgets of the ministries of economy, regional affairs, and agriculture, leading to a discrepancy of EUR 122mn. Additionally, the…
Estonia has implemented an EU-wide ban on the entry of vehicles registered in Belarus, ERR reports. The new restriction does not apply in humanitarian cases and to cars with diplomatic licence plates. Latvia and Lithuania are implementing similar bans. Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, noted that the Belarusian regime was directly contributing to Russia’s war…
Vehicles registered in Belarus are banned from entering Latvia as of 16 July 2024, the State Revenue Service (VID) announced, LSM reports. The ban applies to automotive vehicles as well as trailers and semi-trailers. Vehicles registered in Belarus that are already in Latvia will have to be reregistered. Non-compliant vehicles can be confiscated and transferred…
The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has approved legislation tightening the supervision of virtual currency companies, BNS reports. Under the amendments, crypto asset companies will have to obtain licences from the Bank of Lithuania. The amendments implement the European Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA). Market participants have until June 2025 to be licensed. The central…
A public petition in Latvia is collecting signatures for a ban on the Chinese social media network, TikTok, LSM reports. The author of the initiative, Arturs Babuskins, stated that the social media application was used to “glorify Russian crimes, incite hatred, and divide society.” Moreover, the petition cites data security concerns. Public petitions need at…
The shadow economy accounts for up to 90% of the car service sector in Latvia, which has completely distorted competition, Andris Kulbergs, board chairman of the Latvian Automotive Association (Auto Asociacija), told LETA. The total turnover of the shadow economy in the sector amounts to almost EUR 200mn per year, the association estimates. The state…
The Lithuanian government has granted special status to German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall’s planned artillery ammunition plant in Radviliskis district, BNS reports. The designation allows the company to begin construction of the plant without the standard construction permits, which must be obtained before completion. The plant, which will be named the Lithuanian Centre of Excellence for…
