Latvia & nearby (88)

Environment agency begins impact assessment for hydrogen corridor, landowners voice concern

Latvia is in the early planning stages for a possible Northern-Baltic hydrogen corridor, and the State Environmental Service has already launched an environmental impact assessment for the project even though no final construction decision has been made. Landowners within the study area say they are confused about how the process can proceed without parliamentary or government approval.

Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 15:20

"Apvienotais saraksts" to receive maximum state party funding, other parties under one million

After winning Latvia's 15th Saeima election, the "Apvienotais saraksts" party will receive the legally capped maximum state budget funding over the next four years, while every other party entering parliament will get less than one million euros annually.

Delfi · 4 Oct, 14:29

"Progressives" say election result was not bad, but stay silent on coalition plans

After the Saeima elections, the "Progressives" party says its result should not be considered bad, though it is not yet commenting publicly on whether it will join the governing coalition or remain in opposition.

TVNET · 4 Oct, 14:24

Urbanovičs blames apathy for Saskaņas Centrs' poor election results, announces he will step down as party leader

Saskaņas Centrs board member Jānis Urbanovičs has attributed the alliance's weak results in the 15th Saeima elections to voter apathy and his own failure to energize the party, while announcing he will leave the party's leadership.

Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 14:23

Estonia weighs tougher rules for electric scooters after rise in minor injuries

Estonia's Riigikogu economic affairs committee has backed a bill tightening control over e-scooter rental users and allowing police to confiscate personal scooters that exceed speed limits, following a rise in accidents involving minors.

ERR (rus) · 4 Oct, 14:22

Latvia's ruling party wins election, while populist parties gain ground

Preliminary results show Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' centre-right United List winning Sunday's parliamentary election with a record seat count, while populist parties also strengthened their position with help from Russian-speaking voters.

Euronews · 4 Oct, 14:21

Party "Apvienotais saraksts" to Receive Maximum State Funding After Election Win

Following its victory in the 15th Saeima election, the political alliance "Apvienotais saraksts" (AS) will be entitled to the maximum level of state budget funding available to parties in the coming years.

TVNET · 4 Oct, 13:29

"United List" set to receive maximum allowed state funding after election win

Having won the 15th Saeima elections, the "United List" party alliance will be entitled to the legally capped maximum state budget funding for the next four years. Several other parties that cleared the vote thresholds will also qualify for state support.

Jauns.lv · 4 Oct, 13:27

Zviedris: 15th Saeima election vote count could finish faster than four years ago

Central Election Commission head Māris Zviedris told LETA that despite a slow start, counting votes in the 15th Saeima election could be completed faster than in the previous election.

Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 13:25

United List leaders say 42 Saeima seats came as a surprise even to them

Representatives of the "United List" (Apvienotais saraksts) told Latvian Radio and Latvian Television that their provisional result of 42 seats in the 15th Saeima election surprised even party leadership itself.

LSM · 4 Oct, 13:22

Expert: Kulbergs Is a Phenomenon in Latvian Politics

Analyst Iveta Kažoka of the Providus think tank says Apvienotais saraksts leader Andris Kulbergs managed to draw voters away from nearly every other political force in the recent elections, calling it a phenomenon in Latvian politics.

Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 12:26

Cranberry harvest thrives in Estonia's bogs as pickers chase extra winter income

Estonia's bogs are yielding an abundant cranberry harvest this year, drawing both hobbyists and pickers hoping to earn extra money for winter. More sellers are now bypassing collection points to sell directly on social media.

ERR News · 4 Oct, 12:26

Analyst: Kulbergs has become a phenomenon in Latvian politics

Iveta Kažoka, a researcher at the Providus think tank, says United List leader Andris Kulbergs managed to draw voters away from nearly every political competitor in the recent elections, calling him a unique phenomenon in Latvian politics.

TVNET · 4 Oct, 12:25

Social media rounds up the funniest and most awkward Latvian election ad moments

Now that Latvia's 15th Saeima elections are over, media can freely revisit the quirky campaign ad moments that circulated on social media. These include a car ad glitch, text errors in campaign materials, and AI-generated ads.

Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 12:24

Election night curiosity: young man caught clowning behind "Progressives" representatives on live TV

During live election night coverage on LTV1, as the channel interviewed representatives of the "Progressives" party, viewers' attention was drawn to a young man seen pulling faces and gesturing behind them. The moment sparked a wave of social media commentary.

Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 11:25

Estonia proposes lifting protection from a third of Jõgevamaa's manor monuments

Estonia's Heritage Board has proposed removing state protection from 48 of 133 reviewed architectural monuments in Jõgevamaa county as part of a nationwide reassessment of manor heritage. A final decision will follow talks with the local community.

ERR (rus) · 4 Oct, 11:23

President Rinkēvičs calls low voter turnout in 15th Saeima election concerning

President Edgars Rinkēvičs thanked everyone involved in organizing the 15th Saeima election but voiced concern over relatively low voter turnout, warning that disillusionment and indifference threaten Latvia's democracy.

Delfi · 4 Oct, 11:21

Latvia has no deadline for hospitals to notify relatives of a patient's death

A Latvian Television investigation found that the law sets no specific time limit for hospitals to inform relatives when a patient dies. The Health Inspectorate advises people with ethics complaints against hospital staff to file a formal application.

LSM · 4 Oct, 11:20

Experts: New Coalition Could Include Two or Three Parties

Preliminary results from the 15th Saeima election show voters backed change but not a radical shift, with analysts seeing a three-party coalition as the most likely outcome.

LSM (rus) · 4 Oct, 11:20

Valka Theatre to Perform at Two International Festivals in Lithuania and Brocēni

Valka Town Theatre, marking its 155th working season, has been invited to two international theatre festivals — one in Visaginas, Lithuania, and one in Brocēni, Latvia — presenting two different productions.

Ziemeļlatvija · 4 Oct, 10:26

Latvia's election board: counting delayed by checks on over 700 deposited ballots

Latvia's Central Election Commission said the start of vote counting in the Saeima election was delayed on Saturday evening because more than 700 ballots deposited for safekeeping had to be verified first.

TVNET · 4 Oct, 10:26

Latvia's Apvienotais saraksts wins parliamentary election, six parties enter new Saeima

According to preliminary Central Election Commission data, the Apvienotais saraksts (United List) has won Latvia's 15th Saeima election by a wide margin, while six parties have cleared the five-percent threshold needed to enter parliament.

Staburags · 4 Oct, 10:23

AS Leader Tavars Outlines Party's Ministerial Ambitions, Possible Coalition

After winning the Saeima election, the "United List" party plans to nominate its own candidate for prime minister, keep the finance minister post, and possibly seek the foreign affairs ministry too.

Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 10:21

Ex-minister who lost post over drunk driving wins notable voter support

Reinis Uzulnieks, who recently lost his post as welfare minister after being caught drunk driving, has received relatively strong voter support in the Saeima elections running on the Union of Greens and Farmers list, preliminary Central Election Commission data show.

Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 09:26

Union of Greens and Farmers fails to enter Saeima for first time

The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) has failed to clear the 5% threshold in the 15th Saeima elections for the first time in its history, with 4.46% of votes counted so far.

LSM (rus) · 4 Oct, 09:24

World Heart Day: experts say heart health reflects the whole body

On World Heart Day, Latvian medical experts emphasize that cardiovascular disease is not an isolated diagnosis but reflects the condition of the entire body, affecting kidneys, eyesight, and the brain. A survey shows the public links heart health to other organs far less often than to classic symptoms.

Ziemeļlatvija · 4 Oct, 09:23

Šlesers: Government without LPV would eventually face New Unity's fate

LPV prime ministerial candidate Ainārs Šlesers says his party is ready to negotiate with the Unified List on forming a new government, warning that a coalition without LPV would fail like New Unity did.

BNN · 4 Oct, 09:22

"Apvienotais saraksts" wins record number of seats in Latvian parliament's history

The "Apvienotais saraksts" (United List) party, led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, won the 15th Saeima election with more seats than any single political force has ever secured in the history of Latvia's parliament.

LSM · 4 Oct, 09:22

Most staff vanish from State Chancellery department's website — agency says it's not a reorganization

Only two employees are now publicly listed for the State Chancellery's Strategic Communication and Coordination Department, but the government says this reflects a contact-info update, not staff cuts.

Latvijas Avīze · 4 Oct, 09:21

Estonia's crisis readiness grows, but shelter shortage remains a major gap

Estonian officials say the country's crisis preparedness is slowly improving, but a severe shortage of shelters remains the biggest unresolved problem.

ERR News · 4 Oct, 09:20

Lithuanians recreate Nazi-looted painting of Klaipėda's port

A historian, the artist's son and a fellow painter have recreated Jonas Buračas' 1938 monumental painting of Klaipėda, which Nazi forces removed to Germany in 1944 and which has never been located or returned.

LRT English · 4 Oct, 08:26

Exit poll: Pro-Ukrainian alliance leading in Latvia's parliamentary election

According to an exit poll conducted at polling stations, the center-right alliance 'United List,' known for its consistent pro-Ukrainian stance, is leading in Latvia's Saeima election.

Pravda — ziņas · 4 Oct, 08:25

Latvia's election count points to clear lead for Apvienotais saraksts, Greens and Farmers may miss parliament

As vote counting continues in Latvia's 15th Saeima election, the Apvienotais saraksts (United List) holds a clear lead, while the Union of Greens and Farmers appears likely to fall short of the 5% threshold. Counting is complete in Kurzeme, Latgale and Zemgale, while Riga and Vidzeme are still being processed.

BNN · 4 Oct, 08:22

Kazāks: Government must be formed quickly amid geopolitical situation

Bank of Latvia Governor Mārtiņš Kazāks has called for the swift formation of the next coalition and government, stressing the need to agree on key priorities. He made the remarks to the LETA news agency, citing the current geopolitical situation.

Apollo.lv · 4 Oct, 08:21