Society
Following the attack on the Museum of the Occupation, plans are underway to speed up the establishment of a comprehensive video surveillance network throughout Latvia. The first step is to identify what is already there and what can be used. Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) has been tasked to do this within a month, reports Latvian Television's "De Facto" on March 10.
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has issued the first six exit orders to Russian citizens who have not submitted any documents to request a residence permit for living in Latvia. Two of them have already left Latvia, said Maira Roze, head of PMLP, in an interview with the Latvian Television “Morning Panorama” March 8.
Last year, 68 people died in fires in Latvia, the lowest number in 20 years. This statistic includes not only people who died in cities, but also in villages and rural homesteads. Firefighters say that rural fires are not always reached in time because homesteads are far apart, and road conditions also hamper the access, Latvian Radio reported March 5.
Finally, signs of spring have appeared in Latgale. Slippery, ice-covered roads have been replaced by mud. For residents and the services, it is a testing time.
Finally, signs of spring have appeared in Latgale. Slippery, ice-covered roads have been replaced by mud. For residents and the services, it is a testing time.
In 2022, 989 000 people acquired the citizenship of the EU country where they lived, an increase of around 20% (+163 100 people) compared with 2021 according to data on the acquisition of citizenship published by Eurostat February 29.
In 2022, the severe material and social deprivation rate among young people (aged 15-29 years) in the EU was 6.1%. The rate was slightly higher (6.7%) among the total population (all people living in private households), according to recent Eurostat figures.
For many years, in Latvia, it has been prohibited to smoke in cafes, parks, educational institution areas, public transport stops and many other public places. According to Riga Municipal Police (RPP), more than 300 smoking-related violations were detected in the capital in 2023, reports Latvian Television's 4. studija.
Two years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, one in three or 34.3% of Latvian residents surveyed by the pollster SKDS and Latvian Television's "What is happening in Latvia/KNL" program, think that it would be better if war stopped even if Ukraine has to agree to compromises on its behalf.
Around 300 Ukrainian refugees have found their second home in Rēzekne, at least temporarily. Many of them have been living in Rēzekne for over a year and are gradually becoming part of the labor market and cultural life. Rēzekne's locals and Ukrainian refugees have decided to hold support events for Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia's war.
For more than a year, the Ukrainian Olga's restaurant “Green Pumpkin.UA” and Irina's Cafe “Smakoliki” have been open in Latvia. Olga and Irina did not use to work in the catering sector in Ukraine, but when the Russian invasion began they came here and decided to start their businesses and offer a small part of Ukraine to Latvia. Latvian Radio visited the restaurants on February 20.
Two years ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine. In solidarity with the Ukrainian people, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, Saeima Chairwoman Daiga Mieriņa, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš are inviting all Latvian residents to unite in a moment of silence on Saturday, February 24, at 9:00 AM.
Although it is difficult to surprise activists of the Ukraine-supporting association “Your Friends”, Latvian school students have managed to do so. Several hundred students in 100 Latvian schools have responded to the call to provide donations to soldiers, Latvian Television reported on February 18.
Commemorative events are planned in various countries around the world on Friday, February 16, in connection with news of the death of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny who reportedly died in prison in Russia. Among other locations, such events are taking place in Rīga and Tallinn.
Latvia's median age increased by 1.8 years from 2013 to 2023 to reach 44 years, according to fresh data on population structure and ageing published by Eurostat February 15.
The Constitutional Court has concluded that the rule requiring Russian citizens to certify their basic knowledge of the Latvian language to be able to stay in Latvia long-term conforms to the Constitution, the court announced February 15.
Central Statistical Bureau provisional data published February 14 show that the number of births keeps reducing in Latvia: 14 121 children were born in 2023, which is 11.5 % or 1 833 children fewer than in 2022.
The situation in Latvia is improving marginally in international anti-corruption ratings. The work of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) to prevent bribery is not visible, Inese Tauriņa, head of "Society for Openness – Delna", said in an interview with Latvian Radio on February 14.