Māris Klūga

Latvian Television

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What's up with Latvia's feeble civic engagement?
What's up with Latvia's feeble civic engagement?
Latvians are apolitical to a surprising extent. In 2017, just 1.1% of Latvia's inhabitants were members of a political party, whereas the figure stood at 4.3% in Estonia and 4.1% in Lithuania, reports Latvian Radio.
MPs want to make second-pillar pensions inheritable
MPs want to make second-pillar pensions inheritable

On November 2 the Latvian parliament adopted amendments to pension law making second-pillar pensions inheritable should someone die before reaching the age of retirement, reported Latvian Radio. 

Parliament supports higher fines for language law violations
Parliament supports higher fines for language law violations

The Latvian Saeima on September 14 supported steeper fines for language law violations, with the option to suspend officials should they repeatedly come foul of rules regulating use of the official state language in Latvia. 

Defense Ministry wants new, official 'Soldiers' Day'
Defense Ministry wants new, official 'Soldiers' Day'

Latvia's Ministry of Defense is calling for the establishment of an official 'Soldiers' Day' on the national calendar in addition to the existing Lāčplēsis Day on November 11 when people traditionally remember military personnel.

Celebs join bid for Riga municipal elections
Celebs join bid for Riga municipal elections

The opposition party Regional Alliance (LRA) and the liberal Latvian Development (LA) party have put Saeima member Mārtiņš Bondars (LRA) forth as their joint Riga mayor candidate in the upcoming 2017 municipal elections. He was joined by a couple of local celebrities, reported Latvian Radio on February 16.

Unity reluctant over small business tax changes
Unity reluctant over small business tax changes

Unity, a party in Latvia's ruling coalition, has not voiced support for the last-minute changes to the micro enterprise tax announced on December 7 and is to meet PM Māris Kučinskis (Greens and Farmers Union) to discuss the plan that would raise taxes for small businesses but remove the requirement to pay minimum social insurance contributions.

Coalition compromises on refugee benefits
Coalition compromises on refugee benefits

Refugees and needy people will continue to receive some benefits after landing a job under a compromise solution by the ruling coalition, reported Latvian Radio Monday.

Latvia marks 25 years of non-citizens
Latvia marks 25 years of non-citizens

On October 15, 1991 the Supreme Council (the interim parliament) granted citizenship to Latvians that were citizens during the inter-war period, and their offspring. As a result, a third of Latvian residents who did not fit the criteria became non-citizens, reported Latvian Radio Friday.

Health Minister, Welfare Ministry turn against egg donation law
Health Minister, Welfare Ministry turn against egg donation law

The new Health Minister Anda Čakša, along with the Welfare Ministry and Unity MP Edvards Smiltēns want to cancel the protested egg donation law that would prevent women from donating eggs for medical purposes unless they have already had a child.

UK will honor its security commitments - UK diplomat
UK will honor its security commitments - UK diplomat

As a NATO member, the United Kingdom will honor its commitments concerning the security of Latvia and the region, the head of Britain's diplomatic mission to Latvia Tim Colley told members of the Saeima European Affairs Committee Tuesday, reported LETA newswire.

Change of power brewing within Unity
Change of power brewing within Unity

At the June 4 emergency congress Unity, one of Latvia's leading parties and a coalition party, is likely to get a new leadership. A number of candidates have been named as potentially succeeding chairwoman Solvita Āboltiņa, reported Latvian Radio Monday.

'Courage' and 'moderation' join upbringing guidelines
'Courage' and 'moderation' join upbringing guidelines

The National Center for Education (VISC) moral upbringing guidelines corresponding to the controversial education law amendments will feature two more virtues or mores - moderation and courage. The guidelines will also feature concepts such as life, work, and culture, reported Latvian Radio Thursday.

Mysterious canine disease spreads in Latvia
Mysterious canine disease spreads in Latvia

Every month veterinary clinics in Latvia admit about eight dogs with a damaged oesophagus. Veterinarians have tried to find out why the dogs are getting sick for half a year now, failing however to find out the exact causes of the disease. 

State invites barricade participants to tell their stories
State invites barricade participants to tell their stories

The State Chancery on Friday and Saturday is asking people to record their stories in five 'memory studios' across Latvia so the events and the people who fought for Latvian independence by manning the barricades in 1991 aren't forgotten, reported Latvian Radio Friday.

Lack of publications hampers Latvian university ratings
Lack of publications hampers Latvian university ratings

Riga Technical University has received a rating of three out of five stars in the international QS Stars rating, while the University of Latvia got four. The two largest universities in Latvia received the highest possible marks in several categories, however their low publication numbers in science journals turned out to be a stumbling stone on the way to higher ratings, reported Latvian Radio Thursday.

Youth volunteers exchange experience abroad
Youth volunteers exchange experience abroad

Each year youths from Latvia go to very exotic destinations for volunteer work in the GLEN program. But the main takeaway from volunteer work abroad is self-development, not helping others, Dace Stendzeniece from the GLEN volunteer work and education organization told Latvian Radio Wednesday.