Weekly Latvian news digest

Celebrating 35 years of freedom since the end of Soviet occupation! | 2026 digest index

Monday, February 9 – Sunday, February 15, 2026

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated that he agrees with "every single word" of the speech delivered by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference. The president emphasized that Rubio's message was clear and strong, particularly noting that "Europe must be a strong partner, not just an ally," and that "freedom must be funded." Rinkēvičs described the speech as "excellent" and a "must-watch" for everyone in Europe. 1 At the same conference, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže affirmed that the transatlantic alliance stands united, and allies agree that Europe must step up investment in conventional deterrence and do so at a faster pace. 2

In domestic politics, the Saeima faction of the party For Stability! has shrunk. Party board member Gladis Slūka and Jelena Čelnova have left the faction, reducing its size from nine to seven members. Čelnova stated her departure was due to the party's activities not aligning with her principles and promises to voters, while Slūka left citing a desire to pursue other interests and noting that he was not involved in any scandals. 3

On the international stage, the second political consultations between Latvia and Algeria were held in Riga. The talks, led by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andžejs Viļumsons and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria Lounes Magramane, focused on revitalizing bilateral relations. Trade turnover between the two countries reached EUR 27.2 million in the first 11 months of 2025, an increase of almost 83% compared to the same period in 2024. While grain currently dominates Latvia's exports, Algeria expressed interest in developing cooperation in information and communication technologies (ICT), digitalisation, and financial technology. The officials also discussed regional and global security, with Algeria voicing concern over the unstable security environment in the Sahel region and North Africa. Viļumsons urged Algeria to support Ukraine and highlighted Russia's destabilizing role. Algeria is the third largest supplier of natural gas to the EU. 4

Latvia has begun its first term on the UN Security Council for 2026–2027, with Algeria wishing the country success in promoting international peace and security. 5

The Baltic states' energy grids are safer one year on from their disconnection from the BRELL ring. Synchronization with the Continental European grid via Poland has been successful, with no emergency disconnections or major incidents reported in the past year. 6 In a related development, Lithuania's state-owned energy company Ignitis has entered the Latvian home energy market, now offering electricity and gas plans to private clients in Latvia. 7

In other business news, the owner of the popular Lido restaurant chain, Apollo Group, has announced its intention to list bonds. The company is planning a public offering of bonds on the Nasdaq Riga bond list. 8 Meanwhile, Latvia could gain another home-grown bank, as Signet Bank has announced plans to transform into a joint-stock company and apply for a universal banking license, aiming to expand its services to private individuals and a wider range of businesses. 9

On the legislative front, the Saeima has confirmed in a binding resolution that Alūksne is special. The resolution recognizes Alūksne as a "special support area," granting it eligibility for additional EU funding and national co-financing for development projects until 2027. 10

Innovation in the Baltic region is receiving a significant financial boost. The European Commission has allocated €225 million to the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program for 2021–2027 to support projects in innovation, water management, circular economy, and transport. 11

New data from the Central Statistical Bureau shows that Latvia's population continues to decline and age. At the start of 2026, the population stood at 1.861 million, a decrease of approximately 14,000 people from the previous year. The median age has risen to 44 years. The decline is attributed to negative natural increase (more deaths than births) and emigration. 12

Latvia continues to show little change in international corruption perceptions. The country's score in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2025, published by Transparency International, remained at 60 points, the same as in 2024. This places Latvia 36th out of 180 countries. 13

In humanitarian aid, Latvia is sending COVID-19 vaccines and an ambulance to Ukraine. The shipment includes 153,600 doses of Pfizer vaccine, valued at approximately EUR 1.2 million, and a specially equipped ambulance worth around EUR 50,000. 14 Furthermore, the Riga City Council has decided to donate EUR 100,000 to support Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which has been targeted by Russian attacks. 15

In medical technology innovation, a Latvian company has developed smart leggings for stroke patients. The neuro-rehabilitation device, created by Atomic Robotics, uses pneumatic compression and sensors to stimulate blood flow and provide feedback to therapists during patient recovery. 16

Latvia will participate in the NATO exercise 'Arctic Sentry'. The Canadian-led mission will take place in the High North region from March to April 2026, involving around 20,000 troops from more than 10 Allied nations. The Latvian contingent will consist of approximately 100 soldiers from the Mechanized Infantry Brigade and National Guard. 17

Domestically, construction of a new hangar for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters is underway at Lielvārde Air Base. The hangar is being built to house and maintain the helicopters purchased by the Latvian National Armed Forces, with the first helicopters expected to arrive later this year. 18

For the first time in six years, the number of students in Latvian higher education has increased. In 2025, a total of 74,700 students were enrolled in higher education programs, which is 1.4% more than in 2024. The increase was driven by a rise in the number of students from abroad and in master's degree programs. 19 In the fields of science and engineering, women are leading the way. Data shows that women make up the majority of graduates and doctoral candidates in these fields, particularly in natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics. 20

In space technology, a Latvian startup has built a compact radioisotope space generator powered by nuclear waste. The company, Nanodraft, has developed a prototype device that converts heat from decaying radioactive isotopes into electricity. This system is designed to power rovers and other equipment on the moon, where solar power is unreliable during the long lunar night. 21

The winner of the Eurovision 'Supernova' grand final has been decided. The group Atvara will represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with their song "Ramtai". 2223

The Latvian music scene is in mourning following the discovery of singer Paula Dukure. The 25-year-old frontwoman of the band Sudden Lights, who had been missing for several days, was found dead. The circumstances of her death are being investigated. 24

In a show of solidarity, musicians will unite in support of Ukraine at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet. A concert titled "Concert for Peace: United for Ukraine" will feature Latvian musicians, the National Opera Choir, and special guests from Ukraine, including the band DakhaBrakha. 25

At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Latvian athletes have had several notable performances.

In ice hockey, Latvia rallied to stun Germany with a 4-3 overtime victory. Dans Ločmelis scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead the comeback from a 3-1 deficit. 26 Earlier in the tournament, the U.S. team proved too strong for Latvia, defeating them 5-1. 27

On the ice track, luger Elīna Ieva Bota won a silver medal for Latvia in the women's singles event. 28 The Latvian luge duos of Mārtiņš Bots/Roberts Plūme and Eduards Ševics-Mikeļševs/Lūkass Krasts finished just behind the podium, placing fourth and fifth respectively in the doubles competition. 29

In short-track speed skating, Roberts Krūzbergs won a bronze medal. He secured third place in the men's 500 meters final. 30 He had previously finished fifth in the men's 1000 meters. 31

The Latvian cross-country skiing relay team finished in 17th place in the 4x7.5km event. 32

Beyond competition, Latvian model Kate Zariņa expressed her delight at being on the "Olympic catwalk," having been selected to walk in the opening ceremony as part of a sustainability-focused fashion show organized by the Olympic Committee. 33

Rēzeknes domes priekšsēdētājs Aleksandrs Bartaševičs uz laiku līdz trim mēnešiem atstādināts no amata, jo nav saņēmis speciālo atļauju pieejai valsts noslēpumam. Rēzeknes pilsētas tiesa apmierināja Rēzeknes prokuratūras pieprasījumu par viņa atstādināšanu saistībā ar kriminālprocesu par iespējamu dienesta stāvokļa ļaunprātīgu izmantošanu. Priekšsēdētāja pienākumus pagaidām pildīs viņa vietnieks Aleksis Bočs. 1

Valsts robežsardze pērn novērsa aptuveni 12 000 nelikumīgas robežšķērsošanas mēģinājumu. Dienests norāda, ka arī turpmāk nevarēs mazināt modrību. Šogad jau novērsti vairāki simti šādu gadījumu, galvenokārt uz Latvijas–Baltkrievijas robežas. 2

Latvijā plānots no ceļa zīmēm izņemt Krievijas un Baltkrievijas pilsētu nosaukumus. Grozījumi Ministru kabineta noteikumos paredz, ka uz zīmēm, kas norāda virzienu uz robežu, turpmāk vairs netiks norādīti kaimiņvalstu pilsētu nosaukumi. Izņēmums varētu attiekties uz tranzītmaršrutiem, kuros norādes saglabās līdz to nomaiņai. 3

Jaundzimušo skaits Latvijā samazinās jau desmito gadu pēc kārtas. 2025. gadā piedzimuši 14 500 bērnu — par 3 % mazāk nekā 2024. gadā. Tas ir zemākais rādītājs pēdējo simts gadu laikā. 4

Janvārī ugunsgrēkos bojā gājuši 16 cilvēki; visbiežāk nelaimes gadījumi saistīti ar apkuri. Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests informē, ka lielākā daļa traģēdiju notikušas dzīvojamās mājās, kur kurinātas krāsnis vai izmantotas elektriskās sildierīces. 5

Latvijas Sabiedriskā medija rīkotajā akcijā “Gādāsim siltumu Ukrainai!” līdz šim saziedoti 383 417 eiro. Līdzekļi tiks izmantoti ģeneratoru, siltā apģērba un citu nepieciešamo preču iegādei Ukrainas civiliedzīvotājiem, lai palīdzētu sagatavoties ziemai. 6

Rīgas pašvaldība plāno līdz 2029. gada beigām Dzelzavas ielā uzbūvēt sociālo māju ar 250 dzīvokļiem. Projekta kopējās izmaksas paredzētas 15,38 miljonu eiro apmērā. Līdz 10 miljoniem eiro finansējumu nodrošinās Eiropas Reģionālās attīstības fonds (ERAF), bet 5,38 miljonus eiro — SIA “Rīgas nami” kā līdzfinansējumu. Līdz 10 % dzīvokļu paredzēts pielāgot personām ar kustību traucējumiem. Dzīvokļu vidējā platība plānota aptuveni 30 kvadrātmetru. Ēku nodot ekspluatācijā paredzēts 2029. gada nogalē. Uz 1. februāri sociālā dzīvokļa īrei Rīgā rindā gaidīja 745 mājsaimniecības. 7

Ledlauzim “Varma” Baltijas jūrā šajā ziemas sezonā darba netrūkst. Sarežģīto ledus apstākļu dēļ kuģošana ir apgrūtināta, un ledlauzis sniedz palīdzību gan kravas kuģiem, gan prāmjiem maršrutos starp Latviju un Zviedriju. 8

Gata Šļūkas skarbā politiskā karikatūra par Krievijas sportistu dalību Olimpiskajās spēlēs, Gatis Šlūka's harsh political cartoon commenting on Russian athlete participation in the Olympics

Bezvēsts prombūtnē esošā dziedātāja Paula Dukure atrasta mirusi. Mūziķe, kura bija vairāku grupu dalībniece, tika meklēta kopš pagājušās nedēļas. Policija turpina skaidrot notikušā apstākļus. 9

Mākslinieka Gata Šļūkas karikatūra par olimpiskajām spēlēm guvusi plašu starptautisku ievērību. Tajā attēloti sportisti, kuri cīnās ne tikai savā starpā, bet arī ar mūsdienu izaicinājumiem. Darbs publicēts vairākos ārvalstu medijos. 10

Rīgas koka arhitektūras logs, "Wooden Rīga" window