Commentary
If you feel a bit lost in terms of how interest rate decisions are made in the European Central Bank (ECB), I'll try to sum it up below.
Are interest rates really that high? The usual answer from an economist is: yes... and no. I shall try to argue for both answers below.
What do Latvia's residents think of media independence? How important is it? What does it mean in a media audience view? A recent study allowed media consumers to express themselves.
Having lived in Latvia for almost 30 years and having witnessed the country’s remarkable transformation towards a market economy that is highly integrated within the European Union, I am saddened by the current political debate regarding the banking system, in particular the idea of capping the interest rates that banks can charge. Allow me to argue – and warn – against this suggestion.
The current events in the border area of Latvia–Belarus are a reason to create daily news centered on migrants, border crossing, fence, breaking through it, deterring migrants, or allowing migrants into Latvia. The process is justifiably described in the context of the hybrid war by the Belarusian regime. How to write about all this in the media professionally and ethically?
Latvian central bank economist Andrejs Migunovs provides analysis of current trends in the wage and labor market.
It's rare that I feel annoyed these days about missing a press opportunity, but I must admit that it happened last week when I belatedly discovered that the three Baltic Prime Ministers had met in an Estonian bog. If ever there was a press opp designed for me, this was it.
Oh, so that's your "editorial independence and media freedom"! Why is this sentence, opinion, or word not flagged for violation? Why don't you ban it? Start a discussion about criminalizing journalists!
Once, when I – a Belarusian refugee in Latvia – was on a train from Rīga to Tukums, which has become my home in the two years I have lived in Latvia, an elderly woman approached me in the carriage. Dressed simply, with a flowery scarf on her head, she reminded me of my paternal grandmother, who was born in the Voronezh region. She came over and tried to ask me something… in English.
My life started from a blank page about two years ago in Tukums, which has become so dear to my heart that I now call it "my town". A wonderful, large, friendly Latvian family accepted me as one of their own.
A few days before the anniversary of the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, I received an offer to create a performance for an exhibition called “How I've Been Feeling Lately".
The Latvian central bank (Latvijas banka, LB) has published a new commentary on the current state of labor market trends in the country, written by LB economists Andrejs Migunovs, Ieva Opmane and Andrejs Bessonovs.
Our favorite YouTuber, Anete Germane is back with another video.
Although inflation receded in March compared to the record highs witnessed in the previous months, it is still elevated, and both headline inflation and price hikes in Latvia, excluding the variable energy and food prices, are among the highest in the euro area. In March 2023, the year-on-year price rise in Latvia was 17.3%, while the month-on-month price rise was 0.7%.
Here's a reminder that anyone on the look-out for an English-language podcast to add to their playlist might like to check out 'Latvia Weekly' which has a new episode available.
Latvian central bank economist Krista Kalnbērziņa takes a deep dive into gender inequality and its economic consequences in this piece from the central bank's macroeconomics.lv website.
Soon after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, LSM brought you a message from Olha, a young woman living in Kyiv as bombs and missiles rained down. Now she tells us how her life has changed in the last twelve months.
Latvian central bank economists Kārlis Vilerts and Matīss Mirošņikovs examine the economic consequences of Russia's warmongering in this new analysis for the central bank's macroeconomics.lv website.
Bank loans represent one of the investment sources ensuring economic development. It is difficult to imagine a situation where the economy can see a dynamic long-term development without lending; therefore, access to loans, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is of critical importance, writes Latvian central bank economist Andrejs Kurbatskis for Macroeconomics.lv.
Simona Striževska, economist at Citadele Bank subsidiary CBL Asset Management looks at how rate changes are likely to affect borrowers in the Baltic states.
Lieutenant General Ben Hodges is the former Commanding General of the United States Army in Europe, but since retiring from the U.S. military after 38 years of service has forged a career as a geopolitical and military expert.
The 'Latvia Weekly' podcast is back with another review of the week's news in English, a very useful source of discussion on topical matters here in Latvia.
The 'Latvia Weekly' podcast is back with another review of the week's news in English, a very useful source of discussion on topical matters here in Latvia.
"Hello, could I have this bun, please?" a student only half awake addresses the saleswoman, handing her a euro for his daily breakfast.
What music do refugees listen to? Of all the questions I could’ve asked myself while preparing to drive to Ukraine and bring a vanload of them back, that was the one that occurred to me.
The 'Latvia Weekly' podcast is back with another review of the week's news in English, a very useful source of discussion on topical matters here in Latvia.
There is a saying that we appreciate something only when it has passed and ended. Maybe the electricity bill for May will help us realise that the government support provided during the previous months had reduced these bills significantly.
This year's first quarter has pushed many routine things into a vortex and changed the way we perceive peace and everyday life.
A country the size of Latvia isn’t often OVER-represented, but seeing their country’s name one time too many is exactly what raised quite a few of the Rīga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF) delegates’ eyebrows when they opened [influential film industry publication] Screen International at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The 'Latvia Weekly' podcast is back with another review of the week's news in English, a very useful source of discussion on topical matters here in Latvia.
Most important
Most read
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.