Friday, April 19

Name day: Vēsma, Fanija

Public broadcasting of Latvia
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Jānis Kincis

Latvian Radio

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No major tax changes foreseen next year; plans to raise excise duty
No major tax changes foreseen next year; plans to raise excise duty
The Ministry of Finance (FM) proposes to raise excise duty on tobacco and alcohol next year, as well as introduce a mandatory advance payment of corporate income tax to banks in the amount of 20% of the profit of the previous year. This is set out in a report on tax policy guidelines for the next three years, which will be presented to the government on Tuesday, September 26.
Saeima approves partial power distribution rate compensation
Saeima approves partial power distribution rate compensation
To reduce electricity bills, 60% of the fixed share of the distribution tariff will be covered by the state starting September until the end of the year. The government decided on this earlier in the week and the Saeima supported the relevant amendments on September 21.
'Honor to Serve Rīga' to cooperate with ZZS
'Honor to Serve Rīga' to cooperate with ZZS
The Rīga municipal “Honor to serve Rīga” party (GKR) has decided to cooperate with the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) potentially represented in the coalition of the future government, Latvian Television reported on September 6.
Government formation could be clear next week
Government formation could be clear next week
The government formation talks will continue with the aim of approving the next Cabinet of Ministers in the Saeima on Friday, September 15, Prime Minister candidate Evika Siliņa (New Unity) said after a meeting with the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs.
State defense concept adopted in Latvia
State defense concept adopted in Latvia
Defense is likely to receive funding equivalent to 3% of gross domestic product next year, Defense Minister Ināra Murniece (National Alliance) said in a press briefing on Tuesday, September 5. It is also planned to further increase the strength of the National Armed Forces (NBS) and to expand the presence of NATO troops in Latvia.
United List given until Friday to decide on joining coalition
United List given until Friday to decide on joining coalition
Prime ministerial candidate, Evika Siliņa, is waiting until Friday, September 1, for a United List decision on whether to participate in the offered coalition or not, along with New Unity, the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) and Progressives – despite earlier indications that the United List is not interested in a coalition of that composition. 
United List declines Siliņa's four-party coalition offer(update)
United List declines Siliņa's four-party coalition offer(update)
During ongoing coalition negotiations, the United List political grouping on Tuesday received an offer from prime ministerial candidate Evika Siliņa to form a four-party government alongside her own New Unity party and two other parties currently in opposition, namely  the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) and the Progressives. 
President entrusts government formation to PM candidate Siliņa
President entrusts government formation to PM candidate Siliņa
The President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs has entrusted the new government formation to the current Welfare Minister, nominee for the post of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity), the president announced after meeting with Siliņa at Rīga Castle on Thursday, August 24.
Ministry mulls solutions to shadow economy in construction
Ministry mulls solutions to shadow economy in construction
In order to fight the shadow economy in the construction sector, the Ministry of Economics has proposed not only more supervision but also income tax benefits for the commissioning party, Latvian Radio reported Monday.
United List proposes two-day 'coalition seminar'
United List proposes two-day 'coalition seminar'
The United List has offered the coalition a two-day seminar "on work to be carried out" but the Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) says that the talking should finally turn into action, Latvian Radio reported on June 13.
Kariņš signals talks on a 'broader' coalition are coming
Kariņš signals talks on a 'broader' coalition are coming
Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) wasted little time after the election of party colleague Edgars Rinkēvičs May 31 in announcing his desire to "broaden" the existing three-party ruling coalition with the addition of more parties.
Some households switch gas supplier after market changes
Some households switch gas supplier after market changes
Since May 1, the natural gas market in Latvia has been open and users have been able to choose their supplier. Market participants estimated that around 5-10% of households had switched suppliers, and more are expected to do so when the next heating season approaches, Latvian Radio reported on May 19.
Harsher sentences planned for stalking and threats in Latvia
Harsher sentences planned for stalking and threats in Latvia
Following the tragedy in Jēkabpils, when Leons Rusiņš murdered his ex-partner after stalking her for years, the parliament is working on amendments to the law providing for harsher punishments for similar crimes, Latvian Radio reported on May 9.
Identity document queues still take weeks in Latvia
Identity document queues still take weeks in Latvia
Although the requirement for mandatory electronic identification (eID) cards has been dropped for a few months now, the receipt of identity documents in the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) departments still take weeks. The service is still short-staffed, which has been a problem for years now, Latvian Radio reported on May 7.
Growing number of science exam-takers at schools
Growing number of science exam-takers at schools
This year, compared to last year, far more pupils about to graduate high school choose to take biology, physics, and chemistry as their elective exams, said the State Educational Content Center on April 26.
Cyber attacks on Latvian public sector quadrupled last year
Cyber attacks on Latvian public sector quadrupled last year
Last year, the number of cyber-attacks in Latvia increased by 40%, with four times more attacks on public authorities and seven times more searches for different vulnerabilities in the system. Most of these attacks were not noticed by the majority of the public, according to the body “Cert.lv” and the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), Latvian Radio reported April 26.
Little support for Istanbul Convention in Latvian parliament
Little support for Istanbul Convention in Latvian parliament
The 14th Saeima does not show much support for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Only two of the seven factions – New Unity and Progressives – express clear support for its approval, Latvian Radio reported on April 25.
Healthcare workers might strike in autumn
Healthcare workers might strike in autumn
In solidarity with teachers, around 1,000 health workers participated in the protest on Monday, April 24. Ilze Aizsilniece, head of the Latvian Medical Society, has repeated her readiness to organize a strike in the autumn. The industry ministry hopes to prevent this with a clear plan for predictable additional funding for the health sector. 
Latvia gets tidied in Big Cleanup
Latvia gets tidied in Big Cleanup
During the Big Cleanup campaign this year, 1,139 cleanup locations were cleared from garbage and/or improved visually and functionally, Latvian Radio and Zemgale television reported on April 22.
How will Latvia's natural gas market change in May?
How will Latvia's natural gas market change in May?
The natural gas market in Latvia will be fully open as of May 1, with a new participant entering the market. This means that there will no longer be a single trader providing gas to users for a tariff that is regulated and evaluated only twice a year. Therefore, the Minister for Climate and Energy said on April 4 it is encouraged that households choose their own service provider.
Estonian 'Elenger' to enter Latvian gas supply market
Estonian 'Elenger' to enter Latvian gas supply market
On May 1, Latvia's natural gas market in the household segment will be entered by the Estonian natural gas and electricity vendor Eesti gaas subsidiary company in Latvia SIA “Elenger”, Latvian Radio reported on March 30.
Police to enhance presence on Gogoļa Street, Rīga
Police to enhance presence on Gogoļa Street, Rīga
In the vicinity of Rīga Central Station, on Gogoļa Street, due to construction works linked to the “Rail Baltica” project, passenger car traffic is closed, but many drivers appear to be ignoring the restrictions. As a result, the State Police will increase traffic monitoring in the area as of Monday, March 27, Latvian Radio reported.
Drunk driving problem raised again in Latvia
Drunk driving problem raised again in Latvia
Last year, the government decided that the Road Traffic Regulations should include a point that drunk drivers would have to undergo behavioral correction programs in order to get their licenses back. Now, as the preparation of such programs is taking a long time, the Transport Ministry is proposing a U-turn and abolishing the amendments, Latvian Radio reported on March 21.
Excess profits tax could be imposed on banks and energy sector
Excess profits tax could be imposed on banks and energy sector
The Finance Ministry's working group on behalf of the government will consider imposing an excess profits tax on banks and on the energy sector companies, according to the government representatives' statements on March 20 after the coalition meeting.