Latvia & nearby
Alvis Hermanis on election aftermath: pleased with his ideas' impact, worried about immigration and the president
After the 15th Saeima election, "We Change the Rules" list leader Alvis Hermanis said on social media that his ideas have already reshaped Latvia's political debate, while voicing concern over immigration policy and President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 22:26
Domestic Violence Survivor Says Police and Support Center Both Let Her Down
A Lithuanian woman living in Latvia says she was failed both by police and by the "Marta" support center after surviving an abusive relationship.
Delfi · 4 Oct, 22:24
Kulbergs wins most voter support, Līdaka most "against" marks in election
Election results show that Apvienotais saraksts (AS) candidate Andris Kulbergs received the most positive preference marks from voters, while his party colleague Ingmārs Līdaka received the most "against" marks.
LSM · 4 Oct, 22:21
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Siliņa does not rule out leaving New Unity leadership after election setback
New Unity (JV) board chairwoman Evika Siliņa does not exclude resigning from the party's leadership after a disappointing result in the 15th Saeima elections, Latvian Television reports.
Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 22:20
PM Kulbergs links low voter turnout to government infighting
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says internal government disputes and slow progress on reforms discouraged some citizens from voting. He pledges a firmer approach with fewer compromises going forward.
LSM · 4 Oct, 21:27
Kulbergs pledges to put state interests above his own after election success
United List's prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs has thanked voters for the party's best-ever result in the 15th Saeima elections and promised to prioritize state interests over personal ones.
TVNET · 4 Oct, 21:26
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Latvia's election commission to propose dropping voter registration envelopes
After the recent Saeima elections, Latvia's Central Election Commission (CVK) plans to propose changes to the election process aimed at speeding up future vote counting, including abandoning voter registration envelopes.
Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 21:25
Kulbergs: United List will not form coalition with Šlesers and LPV
United List leader Kulbergs has said his party will not join a coalition with Ainārs Šlesers and his party Latvia First, calling their election promises unrealistic, while leaving open the question of cooperation with NA and New Unity.
Delfi · 4 Oct, 21:21
LSM.lv Russian-language section publishes new episode of "Let's Discuss Tonight"
On October 4, 2026, LSM.lv's Russian-language platform published a new episode of its discussion program "Обсудим вечером" ("Let's Discuss Tonight"). No further details about the episode's content were specified.
LSM (rus) · 4 Oct, 21:20
Narva Music School celebrates International Music Day
On October 1, students of the Narva Music School marked International Music Day with a concert, sharing how dozens of weekly hours with their instruments shape both their skills and character. Teachers say the school often fills a gap left by busy parents.
ERR (rus) · 4 Oct, 21:20
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Šlesers: "Latvia First" ready to back a Kulberga government, but not alongside New Unity
The "Latvia First" party says it is confident about securing a place in the next government and is willing to negotiate with election winner "Apvienotais saraksts". Ainārs Šlesers says New Unity should have no place in the coalition, and he also wants to see a change of power at Riga City Council.
TVNET · 4 Oct, 20:25
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"Nekā personīga": disputes over minister posts already emerging in coalition talks
Latvian TV show "Nekā personīga" reports that after its decisive election win, the "Apvienotais saraksts" party has broad options for choosing coalition partners, but disagreements over cabinet posts have already surfaced. The process remains in its early stages.
Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 20:21
Police search for missing man who cycled from Ēdole toward Alsunga
Latvian police are asking for public help locating Arkādijs Berševics, born in 1950, who went missing after cycling from Ēdole toward Alsunga's post office on September 29.
Delfi · 4 Oct, 20:21
Sociologist: Low voter turnout in election no coincidence
SKDS head Arnis Kaktiņš says only 51% of eligible voters cast ballots, attributing the low turnout to long-standing public dissatisfaction and a lack of parties offering hope for change.
LSM (rus) · 4 Oct, 20:20
Latvia's parliamentary election sees record-low turnout as ruling alliance wins decisively
Preliminary results from Latvia's October 4 parliamentary election show turnout at an all-time low of 51.79%, while the ruling "Apvienotais saraksts" alliance secured the largest single-party margin in the legislature's history.
LV portāls · 4 Oct, 19:25
Doctor Apinis: elections can trigger brain mechanisms similar to addiction
Physician and columnist Pēteris Apinis argues that elections activate addiction-like neurobiological processes in the brain, and that pre-election stress can drive increased alcohol consumption.
Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 19:24
Vote count complete: provisional lineup of 15th Saeima deputies revealed
After vote counting concluded, the provisional composition of Latvia's 15th Saeima has been determined, with six political forces winning seats. The election was won by the 'United List,' which secured 41 seats — the best result for a single political force since Latvia regained independence.
Jauns.lv · 4 Oct, 19:22
After the election: why Kulbergs got such a mandate and what's next for the government
The United List achieved its best-ever result in Saeima elections with 41 seats, but experts warn the coming years will bring difficult and unpopular decisions.
LSM (rus) · 4 Oct, 19:20
Founder of Estonian sports medicine Toomas Karu dies at 91
Toomas Karu, the physician-scientist regarded as the founder of Estonian sports medicine and a longtime honorary professor at the University of Tartu, died on Sunday at age 91.
ERR (rus) · 4 Oct, 18:25
Party "Stabilitātei!" loses state funding
The party "Stabilitātei!", led by Belarus-based politician Aleksejs Rosļikovs, failed to secure enough votes in the 15th Saeima elections to continue receiving state funding. The party had previously been one of the larger recipients of budget support.
Delfi · 4 Oct, 18:23
Foreign media comment on "Apvienotais saraksts" victory in Latvia's Saeima election
International media are highlighting the decisive win of the "Apvienotais saraksts" (United List) in Latvia's parliamentary election, noting no party has secured so many seats since independence was restored.
Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 18:22
President Rinkēvičs to begin talks with newly elected Saeima parties on Monday
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs will begin a round of consultations with political parties elected to the 15th Saeima on Monday, October 5. The first day will include meetings with four of the six parties represented in the new parliament.
TVNET · 4 Oct, 17:25
Šuvajevs pleased with Progressives' election result, but worried about human rights in new Saeima
Progressives party board chairman Andris Šuvajevs said he is satisfied his party secured enough voter support to enter the 15th Saeima, while voicing concern that the new parliament could reverse progress on human rights, including the Istanbul Convention.
LSM (rus) · 4 Oct, 17:24
Commentator: United List's win owes more to rivals' mistakes than its own merit
Political commentator Dainis Lemešonoks assesses the United List's decisive election win, arguing it stems largely from rivals' mistakes rather than the party's own merit, and warns of the risks posed by one political force dominating power.
Delfi · 4 Oct, 17:23
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Only two political forces win in Riga neighbourhood elections
According to Central Election Commission data compiled by the LETA news agency, only two political forces — "Apvienotais saraksts" and "Suverēnā vara/Apvienība jaunlatvieši" — managed to win in Riga's neighbourhood elections, while all other participants failed to take first place in any neighbourhood.
Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 17:22
Indriksone: Smaller partners must also have influence in the next government
National Alliance board chair Ilze Indriksone says the coalition forming the next government must agree on cooperation arrangements that let smaller partners influence decisions too. She made the comments on Latvian Radio's "Krustpunktā" program.
LSM · 4 Oct, 17:21
15th Saeima election: a photo retrospective as Latvia awaits results
As official results of Latvia's 15th Saeima election were still pending nationwide, a photo retrospective featuring 15 images from the vote was published.
TVNET · 4 Oct, 16:27
Food inspectors find E. coli in Lithuanian-origin pork
Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service has detected E. coli bacteria in pork from pigs raised in Lithuania and slaughtered in Latvia. Separate inspections also found salmonella in Estonian chicken and Russian coriander.
Jauns.lv · 4 Oct, 16:25
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New Saeima may see slightly more women elected than before
Data compiled by the Central Election Commission from nearly all polling stations suggests the share of women among newly elected Saeima deputies will likely be slightly higher than in the previous parliament.
Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 16:23
Decisive election win for PM Kulbergs' party boosts prospects for pro-Ukraine coalition
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' party has won elections by a wide margin over the far-right Latvia First party, strengthening the odds of a governing coalition committed to continued support for Ukraine.
Politico Europe · 4 Oct, 16:22
Preliminary election results: Unified List wins big but also tops the 'most crossed-out' list
With most votes counted in the 15th Saeima election, the Unified List has won decisively, though its own candidates also received the highest number of 'against' marks. Meanwhile, the Greens and Farmers' Union fell just short of the 5% threshold.
Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 16:22
Soaring cost of renouncing Russian citizenship adds new hurdle for Estonia's citizenship seekers
An Estonian Integration Foundation representative highlights that the fee to renounce Russian citizenship jumped to €2,376 in August, creating a fresh obstacle for permanent residents pursuing Estonian citizenship.
ERR News · 4 Oct, 16:21
Krauze: ZZS election setback tied to shift on Istanbul Convention
ZZS leader Armands Krauze says his party's poor election result stems largely from its changed stance on the Istanbul Convention, which alienated conservative voters. He says he is ready to take responsibility while the party continues operating.
Delfi · 4 Oct, 16:21
Latvia's new parliament to see about two-thirds turnover, with over 60 newcomer MPs
Preliminary election results show the incoming 15th Saeima will include more than 60 new members, meaning roughly two-thirds of parliament's composition will change, similar to the previous election.
Jauns.lv · 4 Oct, 15:24
Vote count shows six parties set to enter new Saeima
With nearly all votes counted, it has become clear that six political forces will enter Latvia's new parliament. Final results will be confirmed once counting is fully complete.
TVNET · 4 Oct, 15:23
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Summer-like weather to retreat on Monday
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts that summer-like weather conditions will recede at the start of the new work week. Monday is expected to bring noticeably different conditions than recent days.
Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 15:23