Latvia & nearby (86)

Kulbergs: government formation will assess which parties drop unrealistic promises

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says that while forming a new government, he intends to assess which parties are willing to abandon promises that cannot realistically be fulfilled. He stressed the importance of fewer disagreements within the coalition.

LSM (rus) · 5 Oct, 09:22

Kulbergs wants fewer ministries, rules out coalition with Šlesers' party

Andris Kulbergs, leader of the "Apvienotais saraksts" party and Latvia's current prime minister, says he wants to cut the number of ministries and speed up economic growth, while ruling out a government alongside Ainars Šlesers' "Latvia First" party.

Staburags · 5 Oct, 09:20

CEC finalizes count: mail-in ballots added to 15th Saeima election results

Latvia's Central Election Commission has compiled preliminary results from the October 3 Saeima elections, including ballots sent by mail. Turnout reached 806,641 voters, or 51.79% of those eligible.

LSM (rus) · 5 Oct, 08:28

Kulbergs says he will assess parties' willingness to drop unfulfillable promises during government formation

Current and potentially future Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the United List party has said that during the process of forming a new government, he will pay attention to which parties are willing to abandon promises that cannot realistically be fulfilled.

LSM · 5 Oct, 08:28

Foreign labour becomes a lifeline for Lithuania's farms

More than 5,000 foreign nationals now work in Lithuania's agricultural sector this year, over double last year's figure, as fewer locals are willing to take farm jobs. Industry representatives say easing bureaucratic hurdles for foreign workers is essential to keep farms running.

LRT English · 5 Oct, 08:26

Rēzekne museum to open memorial exhibition for graphic artist Vjačeslavs Fomins

The Latgale Culture History Museum in Rēzekne opens a memorial exhibition on October 6 dedicated to graphic artist Vjačeslavs Fomins, who died this year; the museum is also showing painter Inga Onževa's exhibition until October 10.

LaKuga · 5 Oct, 08:23

Foreign tourists increasingly choose Tallinn while other Estonian regions lag behind

July statistics show foreign tourists are increasingly concentrating their visits in Tallinn, which set a record for overnight stays, while other Estonian regions remain below pre-pandemic tourism levels.

ERR (rus) · 5 Oct, 08:23

Rail crossing in Ķegums to shut for two days in mid-October

From October 12 to 15, repair works will restrict traffic across a railway crossing in Ķegums on Celtnieku Street. Drivers will need detours, while pedestrians and cyclists will not be affected.

Jauns.lv · 5 Oct, 08:20

Jelgava medical professionals attend “Medbaltica 2026” exhibition

Healthcare representatives from Jelgava, including staff from “Jelgavas klīnika”, took part in the international “Medbaltica 2026” exhibition in Riga. The event also featured the first Baltic-wide physiotherapy congress.

Zemgales Ziņas · 5 Oct, 07:28

Ērģeme residents share preserving skills and the taste of summer

On Michaelmas Day, residents of the Ērģeme parish gathered at the local library to taste each other's homemade jams and preserves and swap recipes. The event showed that preparing winter stores from one's own garden remains a living, generational tradition.

Ziemeļlatvija · 5 Oct, 07:28

Monday brings cloudy skies, scattered rain and stronger winds across Latvia

Latvia's weather forecasters expect mostly cloudy skies on Monday with scattered light rain in many areas and strengthening winds, while temperatures rise to +16 degrees. A cyclone over the Norwegian Sea is driving the conditions.

Latvijas Avīze · 5 Oct, 07:24

President Rinkēvičs thanks Latvia's teachers on Teacher's Day for shaping young people's lives

On October 5, Latvia's President Edgars Rinkēvičs issued a Teacher's Day greeting thanking the country's educators, emphasizing that a wise and supportive teacher is invaluable to students.

Delfi · 5 Oct, 07:23

Kuldīga municipality unifies look of address signs across region

The Kuldīga municipal council has approved unified regulations for the design of building number plates and street name signs throughout the region. Existing signs do not need to be replaced immediately — only when an address changes or a sign is damaged.

Kurzemnieks · 5 Oct, 07:21

Vote count delayed for hours after polling stations closed

On October 3, vote counting at several polling stations began hours later than planned. The delay was caused by extra checks on ballots submitted for safekeeping in advance.

LSM (rus) · 5 Oct, 06:29

Food agency says it has enough staff to check grain cargoes at the border

Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service says its current resources are sufficient to carry out new border checks on grain shipments from third countries, with regional inspectors available if needed.

Bauskas Dzīve · 5 Oct, 06:20

LSM.lv compiles preliminary list of likely 15th Saeima members

Public broadcaster portal LSM.lv has published a preliminary list of politicians who may be elected to Latvia's 15th Saeima. The list is tentative and subject to change.

LSM (rus) · 5 Oct, 05:27

Horens Stalbe: Most people aren't tax experts, and the tax authority should explain things simply

Latvian multidisciplinary artist Horens Stalbe says tax matters aren't his professional field, so when questions arise he turns to the State Revenue Service (VID), whose consultations he has found helpful and clear.

Latvijas Avīze · 5 Oct, 05:26

Former Probation Service Official Sues Over Alleged Emotional Abuse at Work

A former employee of the State Probation Service, who left his position in May 2024 after working there for just under two years, has filed a lawsuit against the agency alleging emotional abuse and workplace bullying.

TVNET · 5 Oct, 05:25

Jelgava to cut heating supply to several buildings from October 5–7

From 9 a.m. on October 5 to 6 p.m. on October 7, heating will be temporarily shut off to several buildings in Jelgava due to upgrade works on the district heating system.

Zemgales Ziņas · 5 Oct, 05:21

Free lecture on chronic fatigue, burnout and depression to be held in Rundāle

On October 5, a free lecture on chronic fatigue, burnout and depression will take place at the Rundāle multifunctional center, led by a clinical psychologist. The event is part of a Bauska Municipality health promotion project.

Bauskas Dzīve · 5 Oct, 05:20

Latvia moves to let thousands recalculate pensions for 1991–1995 gap years

A Saeima committee has unanimously backed amendments letting thousands of residents voluntarily make social insurance contributions for 1991–1995, potentially boosting their future pension or unemployment benefit.

Jauns.lv · 5 Oct, 05:20

Estonian parties already campaigning on the streets, five months before parliamentary election

With Estonia's Riigikogu election still five months away, political parties have already set up street tents and resumed active outreach to voters. Politicians say campaigning never really stopped after the spring local elections.

ERR (rus) · 5 Oct, 04:28

Former Latvian Probation Service Employee Takes Agency to Court Over Alleged Bullying

A former State Probation Service employee who resigned in May 2024 after working there for nearly two years is now suing the agency, alleging emotional abuse and workplace mobbing.

Apollo.lv · 5 Oct, 04:26

Estonia's rescuers and medics say budgeted pay rise falls short

Estonia's government has approved a state budget giving rescuers and healthcare workers only about a 3% pay rise next year, which unions say barely covers inflation and leaves staffing shortages unresolved.

ERR (rus) · 5 Oct, 03:26

Russian-speaking voters split between "Latvia First" and Julija Stepaņenko's alliance in Saeima election

In the 15th Saeima election, support among Russian-speaking voters shifted away from the "For Stability!" party, which failed to enter parliament, toward two new forces: "Latvia First" and Julija Stepaņenko's "Sovereign Power/Union of New Latvians".

LSM · 5 Oct, 02:26

Estonia's defence industry rethinks security after arson attack on Milrem Robotics

After Estonia's Internal Security Service (KaPo) attributed the arson of Milrem Robotics' building to Russian intelligence services, companies and the state are searching for a new balance between transparency and security risks.

ERR (rus) · 5 Oct, 02:26

Meloni congratulates Kulbergs on Saeima election win, citing Latvia's choice for security

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has congratulated Andris Kulbergs on the United List's decisive win in the 15th Saeima elections, while Kulbergs revealed the two leaders spoke by phone after the vote.

Jauns.lv · 5 Oct, 02:24

Dombrava: Bringing in foreign workers may harm Latvia's economy more than help it

Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava warned on the show "Naudas cena" that large-scale recruitment of foreign labor could push wages down and burden the social budget rather than boost Latvia's economic growth.

Latvijas Avīze · 5 Oct, 01:25

Teachers' Day: Could you handle a job interview for a teaching position?

On October 5, Latvia marks Teachers' Day, honoring educators whose work demands more than subject knowledge. To mark the occasion, a light quiz was published letting readers test whether they have what it takes to be a teacher.

Latvijas Avīze · 5 Oct, 00:20

Smiltēns: Divisive Issues Like Istanbul Convention Will Wait, Next Government Says

Politician Edvards Smiltēns of the United List said in a post-election discussion that the next government will put a moratorium on socially divisive issues such as the Istanbul Convention. He called this a necessary pause.

LSM · 4 Oct, 23:26

Wind to pick up and rain expected across Latvia on Monday

The new week in Latvia opens with autumnal weather — wind strengthens and rain is expected in many areas on Monday, while the coming weekend looks set to be the coldest since spring.

Jauns.lv · 4 Oct, 23:21

Daugavpils police catch gun shop theft suspects in under an hour

Municipal police in Daugavpils, working with video surveillance staff, detained two men suspected of stealing firearms from a city shooting range within less than an hour of the report. The stolen weapons were recovered during the arrest.

Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 23:20

New Unity faces internal reckoning after election setback

After its seat count dropped from 26 to seven in the 15th Saeima, the New Unity party has pledged an internal review, while some members are calling for personal accountability.

TVNET · 4 Oct, 22:32

President to Begin Coalition Talks With Elected Parties at Riga Castle on Monday

Following the conclusion of Saeima election vote counting, Latvia's president will start consultations with parties that won seats on Monday, October 5. The key question is how the incoming coalition will divide ministerial posts.

LSM (rus) · 4 Oct, 22:29