Week at a Glance

United Nations

Latvia calls an emergency Security Council meeting on Ukraine

On November 6 in Warsaw, the foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and Ukraine signed a joint declaration reaffirming support for Ukraine, a just and lasting peace and stronger sanctions against Russia.

“Russia is shifting to a long-term war footing, carrying out extensive unconventional operations aimed at undermining the unity of European countries.” — Baiba Braže

New Saeima

The 15th Saeima is sworn in, with six factions

Presidium: Speaker Edvards Smiltēns (United List, 79 votes); deputy speakers Ināra Mūrniece (National Alliance) and Raimonds Vējonis (United List); secretary Ramona Petraviča (Latvia First); deputy secretary Antoņina Ņenaševa (Progressives). New Unity holds no post.

First decision: no parliamentary cooperation groups with Russia or Belarus. Andrejs Pagors (Sovereign Power) is referred to the ethics committee over a Russian-language video filmed in the chamber.

Forming the next government

Kulbergs is formally nominated; Latvia First is no longer ruled out

Kulbergs does not rule out a minority government and keeps €500 million in spending cuts as a goal, though the figure is not set in stone. Latvia First leader Ainārs Šlesers promises his party’s 17 votes to a government of professionals and says it will back unpopular reforms.

United List deputies no longer reject Latvia First, though Kulbergs excluded it before and after the election. With the National Alliance alone, the majority would be a minimal 51 votes.

Outgoing government

The outgoing cabinet reports on its record

A State Chancellery report reviewed by the cabinet on November 6, with figures as of October 15:

The Defence Ministry considers the armed forces’ transformation task done, with drone detection and interception capabilities deployed on the eastern border.

Outgoing Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri is leaving the Unity party after 16 years, saying it needs a restart, new energy and new people.

Budget

The State Audit Office joins the search for savings

Finance Ministry estimates for next year’s budget:

For the first time during government formation, the State Audit Office has submitted reform proposals; reviewing severance pay for people who retire could alone save at least €10 million a year.

Speaker Smiltēns would like the budget adopted by Christmas; Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis expects late January or February, and says salaries and pensions are not at risk.

Cost of living

Fuel up a third; wages the lowest in the Baltics

Latvia spent 18.8% of GDP on social protection benefits in 2024, against 32.5% in Finland, and the smallest share in the EU on means-tested benefits (0.9%).

EU funds

The final Recovery Fund payment is approved

What the fund has paid for, among other projects:

Airspace

Two drone incursions in three days

The explosion residents heard on November 1 was a Latvian interceptor drone, made to self-destruct as the intruder crossed back into Russia. The second drone looked similar to those used by Ukraine’s armed forces; its type and origin have not been established.

On the Belarusian border, 12,718 illegal crossings have been prevented this year, as of November 4.

Health

Flu claims its first life as vaccines remain scarce

Standard flu vaccines are still unavailable: all three strain components changed this season and production materials arrived late. Only high-dose vaccines for people over 60 and nasal vaccines for high-risk children have arrived; the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control expects deliveries in the coming weeks.

In 2023 Latvia had the EU’s sixth-highest standardized flu death rate.

Sport

Hockey holds firm on Russia; Porziņģis steps away

That’s the week

Ten stories, one week, at a glance

This overview is a starting point — see the complete weekly digest for all stories and sources