Politics
LTV's De Facto examines alcohol advertising changes in Latvia
Discussions about limiting alcohol advertising in Latvia have been ongoing for at least a decade. The current amendments, tabled last week in the government, took two years to prepare and are still not fully agreed upon, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on March 27.
Government supports alcohol advertising restrictions in Latvia
In an attempt to reduce alcohol consumption in Latvia, new rules are in the making regarding alcohol distribution and advertising. The government, after long debates, supported the new amendments on Tuesday, March 21, but the Saeima will still have to view them before they come into force.
LTV: Latvian Russian Union warned about future conduct
The Latvian Russian Union (LKS) political party is one step away from being closed down after receiving a warning from the Prosecutor General's Office, Latvian Television (LTV) reported March 16, citing unofficial information.
Kariņš gives strong backing to Ukraine's EU and NATO bids
Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš met with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw, Poland, March 15 to discuss the continuation of support for Ukraine, regional security issues, as well as cooperation in the fields of economy and energy.
Confusion, dissatisfaction among politicians about lobbying law
Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show reported March 12 on the requirements of Latvia's recently-introduced 'lobbying law'. It is supposed to improve transparency in political lobbying of parliament, but according to De Facto, there is widespread ignorance and confusion about the law, even among those who are supposed to monitor it.
LIIA event to discuss Baltic-Nordic-European matters
The Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA), in cooperation with the European Commission's Representation in Latvia and the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, will be holding a conference titled: "The Baltic-Nordic EU Conversations 2023: More United than Ever?" on March 17.
Latvian State Forests loses its council
One of the largest state companies – Latvian State Forests (Latvijas Valsts meži, LVM), had four people on its council just days ago. Now, the whole council, including its chairman, have handed in their resignations, Latvian Television reported March 2.
Latvian Foreign Ministry bans TikTok on work phones
The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also announced a ban on TikTok on work devices after the European Commission, the US, and Canadian authorities took the first step, Latvian Television reported on March 2.
Latvian PM Kariņš meets Scholz in Berlin(update)
Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš is in Germany March 1 and 2 on a working visit during which meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other officials are planned, as well as a speech at the German Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (BVMW) annual forum.
'Understanding Germany: one year after Zeitenwende'
The Latvian Institute of International Affairs, in cooperation with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in the Baltic States, will be staging a discussion on February 27 from 14:30-15:30 titled: "Understanding Germany: one year after Zeitenwende" and you can watch a livestream of the event right here.
Rinkēvičs: This is a war of Russia led by Putin
The war in Ukraine is Russian, not only Putin's. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs (New Unity) said in an interview with Latvian Television, aired February 24, remembering how it began and proceeded.
'EU Fund Committee' formed by PM Kariņš
Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) has signed an order this week to set up a Cabinet of Ministers thematic committee on European Union (EU) funds, the State Chancery told the media in a statement on February 23.
Latest party ratings show New Unity retains top spot
The latest political party ratings prepared by the SKDS pollster for Latvian Television show the New Unity (Jaunā Vienotība) party of Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš retaining top spot, but some intense jostling for position behind it.
Interior Minister proposes relaxing Russians' residency rights conditions
Internal Affairs Minister Māris Kučinskis (United List) will propose the Saeima to soften the conditions for Russian citizens' residence in Latvia and to withdraw from the September 1 deadline, until which holders of residence permits are required to certify Latvian knowledge in order to preserve the right to live in Latvia, TV3 and LETA reported on February 9.
Latgale members leave Harmony party en masse
120 members of the Harmony party from Rēzekne, Rēzekne municipality, and Ludza municipality decided to leave the party on Tuesday, February 7, Rēzekne Mayor Aleksandrs Bartaševičs told Latvian Television.
Harmony plans on exclusion of Rēzekne mayor
The Board of Harmony party is planning to assess the possible exclusion of Rēzekne Mayor Aleksandrs Bartaševičs from the party after he called for a boycott of its congress, said Regīna Ločmele, co-chair of the “Harmony” Board, in an interview to Latvian Radio on February 2.
Transport Ministry's subsidiaries asked to 'de-Russianize' websites
The Transport Minister Jānis Vitenbergs (National Alliance) has given an order to subordinate authorities and capital companies of the Ministry of Transport, which operate only in the internal market of Latvia, to review their home pages and to remove the contents from them in Russian, the Ministry said on January 31.
Daugavpils city council leave Harmony party(update)
Daugavpils Mayor Andrejs Elksniņš has decided to withdraw from the social democratic party Harmony and start a new regional political party, Elksniņš announced in a statement to the media and on his profile on Facebook on January 26. LETA reported later that not only Elksniņš but all Daugavpils councillors in the faction have decided to leave.
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