Latvia’s Ministry of Transport supports the resumption of passenger train traffic between Latvia and Lithuania, LSM reports. The ministry said that the priority was reopening the route from Riga via Daugavpils to Vilnius. The Latvian and Lithuanian passenger train operators, Pasazieru Vilciens (PV) and LTG Link, have drawn up various options for routes, operators, and…
Lithuania’s Transport Minister, Marius Skuodis, hopes that state-owned passenger train operator LTG Link open a regular connection between the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, and Latvian capital Riga in 2024, BNS reports. Skuodis discussed the possibility of resuming a passenger train connection from Vilnius via Siauliai to Riga and Daugavpils with LTG Link’s CEO, Linas Bauzys. The…
Latvia’s Riga City Council has elected New Unity’s Vilnis Kirsis as the capital city’s new mayor, LETA reports. Kirsis named street renovation, construction of new housing, and investment in education as his policy priorities. Kirsis served as acting mayor after the resignation of Martins Stakis, who represented the Progressives and Movement For, in early July…
Seven parties in Latvia’s Riga City Council have formed a new coalition, LSM reports. The memorandum of cooperation was signed by New Unity, National Alliance, Latvian Association of Regions (LRA), Code for Riga, Honour to Serve Riga (GKR), For Latvia’s Development (LA), and Movement For. Under the agreement, New Unity’s Vilnis Kirsis will become the…
Latvia’s Riga City Council is likely to elect New Unity’s Vilnis Kirsis as the city’s new mayor, LSM reports. Kirsis has served as acting mayor since previous mayor Martins Stakis resigned in early July 2023. The city council is scheduled to vote on the election of a new mayor on 17 August 2023. Kirsis said…
The UK flag carrier, British Airways, will resume flights from Latvia’s Riga International Airport to London Heathrow Airport as of 29 October 2023, LSM reports. The company will have three flights per week on the route. Fredis Bikovs, director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency (Live Riga), said that the flights would be important…
One person died and eight were injured during a severe thunderstorm in Latvia on 7 August 2023, LETA reports. Wind speeds reached up to 33 m/s in areas. The Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) had to provide assistance to people who were injured by falling trees and heavy hail. The storm and lightning caused major damage…
A man serving a sentence for attempted murder escaped from Latvia’s Riga Central Prison on 23 July 2023 but was caught within a few hours, LSM reports. Police launched an extensive search for the convict across the country, limiting the movement of persons and searching vehicles leaving Riga. Interior Minister Maris Kucinskis said that road…
Latvia’s National Alliance, Latvian Association of Regions (LRA), Movement For, and Progressives have failed to reach agreement on reducing the number of deputy mayors in the Riga City Council, LSM reports. The combined political group of Movement For and Progressives wants to cut the number of deputy mayors from the current three to just one,…