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/politics/09.07.2026-pm-kulbergs-rates-his-cabinet-7-out-of-10-after-first-month-in-office.a654500/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:49:00 GMT 654500 The government of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) has fully completed three of a total of 61 priority tasks within a month, he announced at a press conference after a meeting to discuss the government's actions so far. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/08.07.2026-riga-mayor-kleinbergs-survives-opposition-attempt-to-oust-him.a654405/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:55:00 GMT 654405 Rīga mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) defeated an attempt to force his resignation on Wednesday. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/03.07.2026-three-months-from-elections-latvian-parties-jostle-for-position.a653715/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:23:00 GMT 653715 With exactly three months until Latvia holds parliamentary elections, political parties are jostling for position, according to the latest voter polling carried out for SKDS on behalf of Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/02.07.2026-pm-kulbergs-dissatisfied-with-cybersecurity-in-state-companies.a653590/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:02:20 GMT 653590 The first signs of a breach in the system at AS "Latvijas Valsts meži" (LVM) cyberattack were detected as early as June 11, when suspicious activity was identified, while the actual malicious activities took place on the night of June 22–23, said Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) on July 2. 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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/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/politics/18.05.2026-kulbergs-starts-trying-to-form-a-new-latvian-government.a647565/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 18 May 2026 07:29:00 GMT 647565 Prime Ministerial nominee, Andris Kulbergs (United List) gets down to the serious business Monday of trying to assemble a viable government for the next five months until parliamentary elections take place on October 3rd.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/16.05.2026-united-lists-andris-kulbergs-asked-to-form-a-new-latvian-government.a647432/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 16 May 2026 14:25:00 GMT 647432 Following consultations with political parties on Saturday afternoon, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs announced that he was tasking Andris Kulbergs of the opposition United List political force with attempting to form a new government. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/16.05.2026-talks-about-forming-a-new-latvian-government-to-continue-on-saturday.a647397/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 16 May 2026 06:58:00 GMT 647397 President Edgars Rinkēvičs has a working weekend ahead of him with talks set to continue at Rīga Castle over the necessity of installing a new government, following the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and the collapse of the three-party coalition on Thursday. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/14.05.2026-zzs-na-as-agree-on-possible-cooperation-in-new-government.a647151/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 14 May 2026 15:22:17 GMT 647151 The National Alliance (NA), the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), and the United List (AS) reached a preliminary agreement on Thursday to cooperate in forming a new government. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/14.05.2026-latvian-mps-comment-on-evika-silinas-resignation.a647130/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 14 May 2026 11:13:17 GMT 647130 Prime Minister Evika Siliņa’s (New Unity) resignation was the right decision, long overdue, and inevitable, according to statements made by representatives of the Saeima factions during a special news broadcast by Latvian Public Media. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/14.05.2026-latvian-prime-minister-evika-silina-steps-down.a647082/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 14 May 2026 08:46:00 GMT 647082 Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) has resigned, New Unity's faction leader Edmunds Jurēvics confirmed to Latvian Television on Thursday, May 14. Evika Siliņa also announced this in a media briefing shortly after. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/14.05.2026-corruption-cops-swoop-on-latvian-agriculture-minister.a647096/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 14 May 2026 08:40:00 GMT 647096 Armands Krauze, Minister of Agriculture and leader of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), as well as the former State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Raivis Kronbergs, currently head of the State Chancellery, were temporarily detained on May 14, prosecutor's office confirmed. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/14.05.2026-progressives-leader-silinas-government-could-fall-on-thursday.a647058/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 14 May 2026 06:24:02 GMT 647058 If there is a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) in the Saeima on Thursday, May 14, the government will fall, the party’s Saeima faction leader Andris Šuvajevs confirmed in an interview on the Latvian Television programme "Morning Panorama." https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/14.05.2026-latvian-government-seriously-shaken-by-drone-incidents.a647051/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 14 May 2026 05:25:15 GMT 647051 The drones in Latvian territory led not only to the resignation of Defence Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives), but also to the de facto collapse of Evika Siliņa's (New Unity) government. Progressives announced on Wednesday that they no longer support Siliņa; politicians are beginning talks on the way forward, while the opposition is already prepared to lead a transitional government until the Saeima elections in the fall. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/13.05.2026-progressives-no-longer-ready-to-work-in-current-government.a646973/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 13 May 2026 13:39:00 GMT 646973 The Progressives do not support the continuation of the current government led by Evika Siliņa (New Unity) and are calling on President Edgars Rinkēvičs to begin consultations on the formation of a new government, Andris Šuvajevs, leader of the Progressives parliamentary faction, said after a meeting with Siliņa on Wednesday. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/13.05.2026-riga-city-council-scuffle-to-be-reviewed.a646939/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 13 May 2026 11:49:01 GMT 646939 During a meeting of the Rīga City Council Property Committee on Tuesday, council members lost their tempers and began shoving one another. The City Council’s Ethics Commission has promised to review these events, while Rīga Deputy Mayor Edvards Ratnieks (National Alliance) is calling for a ban on personal filming at the meetings, Latvian Radio reports on 13th May. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/13.05.2026-mp-augulis-pm-silina-has-lost-politicians-trust.a646879/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 13 May 2026 07:37:54 GMT 646879 Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) has lost the trust of both the public and political forces, said Uldis Augulis, deputy chairman of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) board and member of the Saeima, in an interview on the Latvian Television programme "Morning Panorama" on 13th May. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/12.05.2026-riga-city-council-members-throw-hands-over-water-tower.a646821/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 12 May 2026 15:38:11 GMT 646821 A dispute among council members at a meeting of the Rīga City Council Property Committee escalated into a physical altercation on Tuesday, May 12, newswire LETA reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/12.05.2026-latvia-could-offer-aid-for-drone-damaged-property.a646800/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 12 May 2026 13:45:36 GMT 646800 If a military drone damages private property, the government could offer some form of compensation, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) said on Tuesday. A discussion on this topic reportedly took place earlier this week during a coalition meeting. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/12.05.2026-defence-minister-candidate-says-safe-sky-is-priority.a646734/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 12 May 2026 11:39:00 GMT 646734 Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has approached Colonel Raivis Melnis about the position of defence minister. Melnis said in a press briefing after meeting with PM Siliņa on Tuesday that his priority was anti-drone defence capabilities, drawing on the Ukrainian experience. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/11.05.2026-national-alliance-ready-to-form-new-government-progressives-say-they-stay.a646594/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 11 May 2026 12:29:00 GMT 646594 Ilze Indriksone, leader of the National Alliance and a member of the Saeima, is ready to form a "national security leadership." Indriksone announced this on the social media platform "X". https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/11.05.2026-spruds-will-continue-work-at-the-saeima-after-resignation.a646549/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 11 May 2026 09:28:43 GMT 646549 Resigned Defence Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives) will return to his position in the Saeima, the LETA news agency learned from the Ministry of Defence. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/11.05.2026-pm-silina-takes-on-interim-duties-of-defence-minister.a646533/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 11 May 2026 08:39:29 GMT 646533 Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) signed an order on Sunday, May 10, dismissing Andris Sprūds (Progressives) from his duties as Minister of Defence, according to Cabinet Press Secretary Laura Krastiņa. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/11.05.2026-progressives-to-ponder-their-stay-in-latvias-coalition.a646510/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 11 May 2026 06:37:00 GMT 646510 Following the recent drone incidents in Latvian airspace, Defence Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives) has resigned. His party plans to decide this week whether it will remain in the government's coalition, Latvian Television reported on May 10 evening. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/08.05.2026-latvian-defence-minister-spruds-under-pressure-over-drone-incident.a646187/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 08 May 2026 06:50:00 GMT 646187 Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives) appears to be under considerable political pressure with opposition parties calling for his dismissal and his coalition partners reluctant to offer him unambiguous backing over his handling of recent drone incursion incidents. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/07.05.2026-young-people-invited-to-apply-to-baltic-sea-parliamentary-youth-forum-2026.a645995/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 07 May 2026 06:35:00 GMT 645995 Young people from across the Baltic Sea Region are being invited to apply for participation in the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum 2026, taking place in Lübeck, Germany, from 28th August to 1st September 2026. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/06.05.2026-signature-collection-drive-for-pension-withdrawal-plan-can-begin.a645918/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 06 May 2026 14:49:00 GMT 645918 The Central Election Commission (CVK) has decided to register the submitted draft law "Amendments to the State Funded Pensions Law", which means that the supporters of the initiative will be able to begin collecting signatures to possibly initiate a referendum on how Latvia's pension system works. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/24.04.2026-pots-and-kettles-pm-silina-is-not-only-latvian-politician-to-use-airport-vip-lounges.a644469/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:32:55 GMT 644469 The use of airport VIP lounges and associated facilities – which have been the focus for attacks on the judgment of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa by opposition parties – turns out to be far from    the exclusive preserve of Siliņa and her New Unity party, it has emerged. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/23.04.2026-parties-at-variance-on-potential-pension-rule-changes.a644164/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:05:00 GMT 644164 The parties represented in the Saeima have different opinions on the rules regarding withdrawal of second-pillar pension savings, according to politicians' statements on the Latvian Television programme "What's happening in Latvia?" (KNL). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/16.04.2026-coalition-still-works-together-after-airbaltic-loan-discussion.a643176/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:11:00 GMT 643176 The coalition partners have agreed to continue working together in the government, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) announced on April 16 following a meeting with coalition parties, during which disagreements regarding the granting of a loan to the airline airBaltic were dealt with.