https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/president/19.06.2026-former-president-levits-receives-germanys-highest-honour.a652211/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:45:00 GMT 652211 Latvia's former president Egils Levits has been awarded Germany’s highest honour for his decades-long dedication and services to German-Latvian relations. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/19.06.2026-russian-belarusian-investors-opportunities-to-live-in-latvia-restricted.a652156/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 19 Jun 2026 05:51:00 GMT 652156 On Thursday, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Immigration Law in its final reading, which would prevent citizens of Russia and Belarus from obtaining temporary residence permits through the investment program for alternative investment fund managers. LETA reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/18.06.2026-final-latvian-parliamentary-sitting-before-summer-recess-on-thursday.a651530/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:33:35 GMT 651530 On Thursday, June 18, the Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has its final sitting before summer recess. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/17.06.2026-election-planners-consider-possible-air-threats-in-latvia.a651783/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:37:42 GMT 651783 The upcoming parliamentary elections this fall are being planned with the potential risk of air hazards in mind. Most polling stations will be located in municipal buildings, so the Central Election Commission (CVK) is asking local governments to provide information about shelter options at these locations, Vidusdaugava Television reports on June 16. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/15.06.2026-kulbergs-puts-temporary-stop-to-ict-procurements-in-latvia.a651515/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:40:00 GMT 651515 Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) has imposed a 30-day moratorium on large and expensive information and communication technology (ICT) procurements to review their necessity and procurement procedures, LETA reports on June 15. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/14.06.2026-saeima-deputies-expenses-have-cost-more-than-a-million-euros.a651395/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:30:58 GMT 651395 Members of Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, can receive substantial compensation for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, in addition to their wages, reports Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/12.06.2026-latvias-election-digital-platform-developing-smoothly-says-agency.a651265/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:39:58 GMT 651265 Digital election system development is going according to plan, said State Digital Development Agency (VDAA) on June 12. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/12.06.2026-latvian-saeima-nays-banning-cage-raised-chickens.a651191/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:42:00 GMT 651191 On Thursday, June 11, the Saeima rejected in the first reading the proposed amendments to the Animal Protection Law, which would have banned the keeping of laying hens in cages with a transition period until 2032. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/11.06.2026-latvias-insolvency-service-is-itself-liquidated.a651126/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:27:26 GMT 651126 On Thursday, June 11, Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, adopted amendments to the Insolvency Law and related laws in the final reading, which liquidate the Insolvency Control Service and transfer its functions to the Ministry of Justice, the Court Administration and the Latvian Association of Insolvency Administrators. From now on, the Ministry of Justice will have to supervise insolvency administrators. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/11.06.2026-former-pm-and-ministers-resume-their-saeima-seats.a651039/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:36:43 GMT 651039 On Thursday, June 11, the parliamentary seats of former Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) and two former ministers were reinstated.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/09.06.2026-baltic-and-nordic-prime-ministers-meet-zelenskyy-in-tallinn.a650699/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:53:00 GMT 650699 The Prime Ministers of the Baltic and Nordic states are in Tallinn, Estonia on Tuesday for a meeting with Ukraine's outstanding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reports Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/08.06.2026-foreign-affairs-committees-of-estonia-latvia-lithuania-and-turkiye-meet-in-tallinn.a650549/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:59:24 GMT 650549 On June 8th and 9th, the delegations of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will meet with their counterparts from the Parliament of Türkiye in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss the security situation and further support to Ukraine. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/06.06.2026-pre-election-period-starts-in-latvia-with-a-wary-eye-on-ai-influence.a650414/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:34:00 GMT 650414 On Saturday, June 6th, the official pre-election campaign period for the 15th Saeima elections begins in Latvia, which will last until election day itself – October 3rd. The pre-election period runs for 120 days. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/05.06.2026-ebrd-meeting-in-riga.a650222/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:28:00 GMT 650222 On 5–7 June 2026, the 35th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Business Forum will take place in Rīga at the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference Hotel, though with entertainment laid on and other meetings at venues such as the Dailes Theatre and Latvian National Museum of Art. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/04.06.2026-baltic-parliamentarians-will-enjoy-friday-in-liepaja.a650147/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:58:03 GMT 650147 On Friday, June 5th, at a joint meeting of the Baltic Assembly (BA) Committees on Natural Resources and Environment and on Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, parliamentarians from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania will seek solutions for a more comprehensive harmonisation of climate and health policies in the Baltic States, as well as discuss the implementation of joint measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on human health. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/04.06.2026-saeima-seat-switcheroo-as-new-government-starts-work.a650074/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:34:30 GMT 650074 With the confirmation of the government led by Andris Kulbergs (United List), the composition of the 14th Saeima is also changing – several former ministers have returned to work in parliament, and some new members fill the seats of those who have become ministers. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/04.06.2026-new-think-tank-urges-be-more-baltic.a650060/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:35:00 GMT 650060 With the slogan "Be More Baltic", the "Baltic International Security Centre" (BISC) think-tank was unveiled in Brussels on Wednesday, June 3, Latvian Radio reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/president/03.06.2026-so-far-so-good-says-president-of-new-latvian-governments-first-week.a649948/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:51:00 GMT 649948 Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said on June 3rd he was happy with the initial signs from the new four-party coalition government headed by Andris Kulbergs (United List). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/03.06.2026-baltics-nordics-usa-discuss-nato-summit.a649944/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:29:08 GMT 649944 On 1–2 June 2026, the regular meeting of the E-PINE (Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe) format took place in Tallinn and Narva, Estonia, bringing together representatives of the Baltic States, the Nordic countries, and the United States of America (USA). Latvia was represented by Juris Poikāns, Ambassador-at-Large, according to a release from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/02.06.2026-new-latvian-coalition-intends-to-double-up-on-cabinet-meetings.a649722/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:02:00 GMT 649722 The new cabinet of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will meet not once but twice per week, reports Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/29.05.2026-speak-up-saeimas-quietest-deputies-revealed.a649295/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 29 May 2026 10:40:00 GMT 649295 Saeima debates are the most visible elements parts of parliamentary work, but how important are they in reality? Some members of the Latvian parliament take the podium hundreds of times during a four-year parliamentary mandate, while others don't bother to speak at all, despite the fact that there are only 100 deputies in total. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/28.05.2026-new-latvian-government-approved-by-parliament.a649104/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 28 May 2026 15:25:00 GMT 649104 As expected, a new four-party coalition government was approved by Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, on Thursday, May 28th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/28.05.2026-latvias-new-coalition-pledges-to-work-together.a649088/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 28 May 2026 06:41:00 GMT 649088 Representatives of the political parties forming the new coalition – the United List (AS), the National Alliance (NA), New Unity (JV), and the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) – signed a coalition agreement and a declaration on the government’s planned activities on Thursday morning, LSM.lv reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/28.05.2026-progressives-zzs-staying-in-agriculture-ministry-unacceptable.a649082/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 28 May 2026 06:07:00 GMT 649082 The Union of Greens and Farmers continuing to lead the Ministry of Agriculture is unacceptable, stated Andris Šuvajevs, the leader of the opposition faction Progressives, on Thursday, May 28, on the Latvian Television programme Morning Panorama. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/president/27.05.2026-us-congressman-don-bacon-receives-latvian-state-award.a648808/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 27 May 2026 14:49:00 GMT 648808 May 27th saw Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs presenting Latvia’s highest state award – the Order of the Three Stars – to Don Bacon, a member of the U.S. Congress House of Representatives and long-time co-chair of the Baltic Caucus. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/27.05.2026-silina-first-cracks-in-coalition-showed-over-istanbul-convention.a648943/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 27 May 2026 09:12:00 GMT 648943 Outgoing Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) said on May 27th that the first cracks in her three-party coalition appeared over the stance to be taken on the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, or the so-called Istanbul Convention. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/27.05.2026-latvia-in-search-of-new-chancellery-head.a648931/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 27 May 2026 07:41:52 GMT 648931 Not only must Latvia select a new Prime Minister, but also the highest-ranking public official – the Director of the State Chancellery. The two previous holders of the position were forced to step down. Jānis Citskovskis is already on trial, while criminal proceedings have been initiated against Raivis Kronbergs. Now a successor must be chosen for this important position, Latvian Television reported on May 26. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/26.05.2026-pm-candidate-kulbergs-names-latvias-new-government.a648836/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 26 May 2026 14:29:00 GMT 648836 Prime Minister candidate Andris Kulbergs (United List) has officially announced the composition of the incoming government on Tuesday, May 26. This has also been confirmed by President Edgars Rinkēvičs. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/25.05.2026-kulbergs-reveals-division-of-ministries-among-incoming-administration.a648598/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 25 May 2026 09:56:00 GMT 648598 President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with prime ministerial nominee Andris Kulbergs (United List) on Monday, May 25th to hear his proposals about forming a new government following the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) and the collapse of her three-party government. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/25.05.2026-next-government-could-be-announced-monday-in-latvia.a648540/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 25 May 2026 05:09:11 GMT 648540 Andris Kulbergs of the United List (AS), the candidate for prime minister nominated by the President, will go to Rīga Castle on Monday, May 25, to present the composition of the new government, Latvian Television reported on May 24. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/22.05.2026-braze-latvias-allies-know-the-truth-about-russias-drone-lies.a648331/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 May 2026 11:29:00 GMT 648331 Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has said that Latvia's allies are fully aware that Russia is spreading disinformation about drone-related incidents in the Baltic states – though the Foreign Ministry continues to publish repeated public rebuttals of Russia's claims. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/22.05.2026-latvia-first-retains-lead-in-latest-party-political-poll.a648300/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 May 2026 08:58:00 GMT 648300 In the latest poll of political parties by the research center SKDS, the biggest changes this time around have not occurred at the top of the ranking, but in the positions behind the leader and around the five percent threshold that is required to win seats in Latvia's parliament, the Saeima. Moreover, the data continues to show very tight competition between several parties. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/21.05.2026-four-saeima-deputies-are-standing-on-the-naughty-step.a648184/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 21 May 2026 14:23:59 GMT 648184 Several politicians who might have thought about campaigning in the upcoming elections on a tough law and order ticket might have to redraw their plans after falling foul of the law themselves. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/21.05.2026-latvia-reiterates-its-position-on-ukrainian-drones.a648178/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 21 May 2026 12:34:00 GMT 648178 While another drone incursion warning remained in force on Thursday afternoon in eastern districts of Latvia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its latest statement in response to Russian disinformation efforts. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/21.05.2026-saeima-commission-wants-quota-for-number-of-third-country-nationals-allowed-into-latvia.a648136/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 21 May 2026 09:40:00 GMT 648136 The Saeima 'Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on Problems in National and European Union-Level Immigration Regulation and the Work of Executive Bodies' said on May 20th it has adopted a final report, which will be forwarded for consideration by the wider Saeima session. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/21.05.2026-roslikovs-kicked-out-of-riga-city-council.a648137/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 21 May 2026 09:38:39 GMT 648137 On Thursday, May 21, the Rīga City Council decided to revoke the mandate of council member Aleksejs Rosļikovs, the former leader of the "For Stability!" party, who has fled to Belarus. 41 council members voted in favour of revoking his mandate. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/21.05.2026-baltics-and-canada-call-for-improved-nato-situational-awareness.a648095/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 21 May 2026 07:02:00 GMT 648095 The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were due to meet in Tallinn, Estonia for the fourth Canada–Baltics “3+1” Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 20th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/21.05.2026-krauze-threatens-to-sue-prosecutor-general-of-latvia.a648091/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 21 May 2026 06:20:27 GMT 648091 Armands Krauze, leader of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and former Minister of Agriculture, promises to take legal action if Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters does not retract his statements against Krauze regarding the so-called timber industry case, according to Latvian Radio and the portal LSM.lv. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/20.05.2026-likely-shape-of-new-latvian-government-emerges.a648040/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 20 May 2026 16:01:00 GMT 648040 The shape of Latvia's potential new government coalition became more apparent on Wednesday with a four-party model looking likely to take a five-month mandate. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/20.05.2026-ropazi-municipality-council-sacks-its-mayor.a648002/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 20 May 2026 12:22:42 GMT 648002 On Wednesday, May 20, the Ropaži Municipality Council dismissed Mayor Signe Grūbe and her deputy Renāte Gremze (New Unity/Progressives), according to the Progressives party. Deputy Mayor Aivars Draudiņš (United List), who is the only candidate, has already been nominated for the mayor's position, LSM.lv reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/president/20.05.2026-keep-calm-carry-on-examine-algorithms-says-latvian-president.a647989/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 20 May 2026 12:01:13 GMT 647989 Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Wednesday called on the public to stay calm and not rise to Russia's repeated attempts at intimidation. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/20.05.2026-catering-and-conferences-what-latvias-political-parties-spend-their-state-financing-on.a647936/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 20 May 2026 10:55:22 GMT 647936 When the Saeima was discussing a few years ago whether parties should be allocated more state money, the other Baltic states were cited as an example. They provided funding ten times more generously. Now Latvia has not only caught up with its neighbours, but has even overtaken them. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/19.05.2026-russian-diplomat-summoned-us-backs-latvia-at-united-nations-security-council.a647880/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 May 2026 16:53:00 GMT 647880 On May 19th, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a Russian diplomat yet again over the latest blatant misinformation disseminated by that aggressor state. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/19.05.2026-interior-ministry-official-rajevs-resigns.a647839/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 May 2026 13:37:17 GMT 647839 Igors Rajevs, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, has submitted his resignation but will continue to serve as a member of the parliament, LETA reports on May 19. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/19.05.2026-budget-must-be-urgently-reviewed-says-pm-candidate-kulbergs.a647758/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 May 2026 08:21:39 GMT 647758 If Prime Ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs (United List), manages to form a government, the state budget could be reviewed as early as June, Kulbergs indicated on the Latvian Radio program "Labrīt" (Good Morning) on May 19th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/19.05.2026-canadas-foreign-minister-anita-anand-on-visit-to-latvia.a647664/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 May 2026 06:53:00 GMT 647664 On May 19th, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will host Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, on a working visit to Rīga. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/president/19.05.2026-president-rinkevics-visits-preili-in-eastern-latvia.a647728/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 May 2026 06:01:01 GMT 647728 Security, demographics, and healthcare—these are the three areas that must be addressed as a priority in the country, said President Edgars Rinkēvičs during a regional visit to Preiļi on Monday, 18th May. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/19.05.2026-coalition-talks-to-progress-without-progressives.a647726/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 19 May 2026 05:40:00 GMT 647726 Andris Kulbergs (United List), the candidate for prime minister nominated by the president, began government formation talks on Monday. Kulbergs sees an opportunity to form a four-party coalition, with the United List, the National Alliance, and the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) agreeing after trilateral talks to invite New Unity to the negotiations, but not the Progressives. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/18.05.2026-suspended-latvian-state-chancellery-director-resigns.a647613/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 18 May 2026 11:11:00 GMT 647613 Raivis Kronbergs, Director of the State Chancellery, whom Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) suspended after he was temporarily detained on May 14 in connection with the investigation into the so-called timber industry case, terminated his employment on May 18, according to Cabinet Press Secretary Laura Krastiņa. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/18.05.2026-potential-next-united-nations-secretary-general-visits-latvia.a647603/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 18 May 2026 10:55:00 GMT 647603 On May 18th, outgoing Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa met with potentially the incoming United Nations Secretary General, Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis.