latviski
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Monday, May 18 – Sunday, May 24, 2026
Politics
Following Prime Minister Evika Siliņa's resignation on May 14, President Edgars Rinkēvičs tapped Andris Kulbergs (United List) as PM-nominee. Kulbergs — not a party member himself — called on political forces to "bury the hatchet" and named airBaltic and Rail Baltica as candidates for hard decisions. The National Alliance's refusal to work with the Progressives narrowed the coalition field, and by Wednesday evening the United List, New Unity, the National Alliance, and the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) had signed a framework agreement giving each party four cabinet posts. The caretaker mandate runs only until the October 3 elections, with stated priorities of security, fiscal discipline, and reducing the cost of living. 1 2
The latest SKDS poll — fieldwork April 24–May 6, before the government collapsed — has the quasi-Trumpist Latvia First party leading with 9.3%, ahead of the Progressives at 7.8% and the United List at 6.8%. The National Alliance dropped sharply from 6.4% to 4.4%, falling below the parliamentary threshold. Roughly 40% of respondents said they either didn't know who they'd vote for or wouldn't vote at all. SKDS head Arnis Kaktiņš cautioned that the coalition collapse will likely produce big shifts in the next monthly poll. 3
Former Agriculture Minister and ZZS leader Armands Krauze — one of ten individuals named in the timber industry criminal case — has threatened legal action against Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters unless he retracts public statements calling Krauze's claims "blatant lies and a political ploy." The case involves alleged unlawful support to wood processors through price adjustments in state forestry company LVM's long-term contracts. 4
A parliamentary investigation commission has adopted a final report recommending caps on the total number of third-country nationals who may receive residence permits or long-term visas in Latvia. The commission also flagged alleged misuse of student status as a route to residency, and raised concerns that gig-economy platforms Bolt and Wolt may be facilitating work by individuals without legal residence status. A press conference is scheduled for May 26. 5
Diplomacy and defense
On May 19, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service falsely claimed Latvia is allowing Ukraine to use its territory and airspace to strike targets inside Russia. The Latvian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires in protest — a roughly 200-metre walk from the embassy that is becoming a familiar ritual. At the UN Security Council the same day, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya openly threatened that NATO membership would not protect Latvia from "just retribution," drawing immediate condemnation. US representative Tammy Bruce warned that "there is no place for threats against a Council member" and reaffirmed Washington's NATO commitments. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said Latvia's allies are fully aware Russia is lying, noting that NATO Air Command can already see what is actually happening in Baltic airspace. A joint statement from Nordic-Baltic foreign ministers issued after a NATO meeting in Sweden firmly rejected Russia's claims. Countries publicly expressing solidarity with Latvia include Poland, the Czech Republic, the US, France, Canada, and over a dozen others. 6 7
Ground was broken this week on two Canadian-funded construction projects at Lielvārde airbase and in Rīga, together worth 64 million euros. The Lielvārde work includes a helicopter apron capable of servicing CH-146 Griffon, CH-147 Chinook, and CC-177 Globemaster aircraft, plus two residential barracks each housing up to 152 soldiers. Canada has now invested or committed over 315 million euros in Latvian military infrastructure as lead nation of the NATO Multinational Brigade. 8
Outgoing PM Siliņa met with Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, widely considered the frontrunner to succeed António Guterres as UN Secretary-General. A former Vice President of Costa Rica and head of UNCTAD, Grynspan is one of five candidates in contention — and would be the first woman to hold the post. Talks focused on Russia's war in Ukraine and the UN's capacity to uphold international law. 9
Society
New Eurostat data make for sobering reading. Latvia's population shrank by 17% over the past 20 years — the largest proportional decline in the EU. The country also records the EU's highest rate of natural population decrease, the highest ratio of women to men (15.6% more women), and the largest life-expectancy gap between the sexes at 9.8 years. Life expectancy at birth stands at 76.4 years, second-lowest in the bloc. 10
Anti-corruption bureau KNAB searched Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, the Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital, and Vidzeme Hospital in Valmiera on May 21, following allegations that tender specifications were tailored to favor specific suppliers. Contracts affected total at least 3.68 million euros drawn from Latvian and EU budgets. The European Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated proceedings in two of the three cases. KNAB noted that corruption risk in hospital procurement is elevated due to contract scale, technical complexity, and the long-term relationships that develop between institutions and suppliers. 11
Economy
Iconic spirits producer Amber Latvijas Balzams — maker of Riga Black Balsam — owes the state over 28 million euros in taxes and is operating under court-supervised legal protection while preparing a restructuring plan due in October. Staffing has fallen by roughly 50 over the past year to 356 employees. Analysts point to declining alcohol consumption among younger consumers, US legal proceedings against the parent group, and the January liquidation of Stoli Group — a major customer — as compounding pressures. The fate of the Riga Black Balsam trademark is being watched closely. 12
Starting June 1, Russia will double railway freight tariffs on cargo destined for Latvia, Estonia, and Finland under an order signed by the Federal Antimonopoly Service. Routing cargo through Belarus will not bypass the increase if Latvia or Estonia is the final destination. 13
The Mein Schiff Relax, a 333-meter, 160,000-GT vessel operated by German line TUI Cruises, called at Rīga on May 22 — the largest cruise ship ever to dock there — bringing around 4,000 passengers and 1,000 crew. The Port of Rīga has logged 101 cruise calls for 2026, up 21% on last year, with an estimated 135,000 cruise tourists expected. 14
The Bank of Latvia has released a silver collector coin depicting a sequin bridal crown, a traditional ornament worn by unmarried women in 19th-century South Kurzeme. Priced at 120 euros with a mintage of 3,000, the coin was designed by artist Dace Lielā. 15
Culture
A formal foundation, "Raimonda Paula Fonds," has been registered to manage the intellectual property and legacy of composer and performer Raimonds Pauls, who turned 90 this year. His daughter Anete Paula chairs the board. The foundation will be the single point of contact for any use of Pauls' name, image, or music, and will support young musicians. The move follows a controversy over a tribute concert of which Pauls himself has expressed disapproval. 16
Latvia's 22nd annual Museum Night takes place May 23, with nearly 250 museums and cultural venues participating nationwide under the theme "The Adventures of an Object." 17
Environment
Eurostat figures published for International Biodiversity Day show EU populations of common bird species fell 15.1% since 2000, with farmland species down 32.1%. Grassland butterfly populations have dropped an estimated 36.5% over the same period. 18
Sports
Latvia's quarter-final hopes took a serious hit with a 1–7 thrashing by Finland on May 21. The Latvians led after just 10 seconds through Rudolfs Balcers, but Finland took control quickly and dominated the final period entirely. Latvia must now win all remaining group games against the USA (May 24), Great Britain (May 25), and Hungary (May 26) to have a realistic shot at advancing. 19
Digest sources
Citās ziņās
Politika
Premjera amata kandidāts Andris Kulbergs ("Apvienotais saraksts") pirmdien dosies uz Rīgas pili, lai Valsts prezidentam prezentētu jaunās valdības sastāvu. Pēc LTV rīcībā esošās informācijas, Baiba Braže saglabās ārlietu ministres amatu, aizsardzības ministra amatam tiek virzīts pulkvedis Raivis Melnis, finanšu ministra amatam – Māris Kučinskis, savukārt ZZS saglabās Saeimas priekšsēdētājas amatu Daigai Mieriņai un ekonomikas ministra amatu Viktoram Valainim. "Jaunajai Vienotībai" (JV) nāksies samierināties ar četriem amatiem iepriekšējo astoņu vietā; frakcija galu galā piekrita iesaistīties valdībā pret līderes Evikas Siliņas gribu. 1 2
Jaunākajā SKDS aptaujā (24. aprīlis–6. maijs, pirms valdības krišanas) līderos ir "Latvija pirmajā vietā" un "Progresīvie" – attiecīgi 9,3 % un 7,8 %. Izteiktākais kritums ir Nacionālajai apvienībai, kuras reitings sarucis no 6,4 % līdz 4,4 %, noslīdot zem piecu procentu sliekšņa. Apmēram 40 % vēlētāju vēl nav izlēmuši, par ko balsot. SKDS vadītājs Arnis Kaktiņš prognozē, ka nākamajā aptaujā iespējamas būtiskas izmaiņas. 3
KNAB pārbauda partijas "Latvija pirmajā vietā" vadītāja Aināra Šlesera reklāmas kampaņu, ko organizējusi viņa biedrība "Latvija pirmā". Birojs uzskata, ka biedrība faktiski apmaksājusi partijas reklamēšanu. Panākta vienošanās par 75 dienu termiņu; partija apsver iespēju no ziedojumiem savākt gandrīz 300 000 eiro, lai izvairītos no sankcijām. 4
Ģenerālprokurors Armīns Meisters publiski nodēvējis ZZS līdera un bijušā zemkopības ministra Armanda Krauzes apgalvojumus par savu iesaisti kokrūpnieku krimināllietā par "klajiem meliem". Krauze savukārt draud ar tiesvedību, ja Meisters neatsauks savus vārdus. 5
Drošība
Pagājušās nedēļas plašie gaisa telpas trauksmes paziņojumi izgaismoja problēmas ārkārtas informācijas platformas 112.lv darbībā – lielās slodzes dēļ vietne uz brīdi kļuva nepieejama. Sistēmas uzlabošanai nepieciešami vairāk nekā 600 000 eiro, lai tā vienlaikus spētu apkalpot līdz 200 000 pieprasījumu. 6
Latgales pierobežas iedzīvotāji dzīvo pastāvīgā trauksmē – teju katru trešo nakti mostoties no šūnapraides signāla un dzirdot dronu un iznīcinātāju skaņas. Vairākās skolās traucēta eksāmenu norise. Krīzes vadības centrs vēl nav apstiprinājis rīcības vadlīnijas pašvaldībām un uzņēmumiem, taču sola tās publicēt šonedēļ. 7
Sabiedrība
Rīga gatavo jaunus noteikumus privāto bērnudārzu līdzfinansēšanai. Pieprasījuma krituma dēļ pašvaldība plāno atbrīvot desmit pirmsskolu ēkas, bet izdevumi privāto bērnudārzu apmaksai kopš 2021. gada pieauguši vairāk nekā uz pusi – līdz 33 miljoniem eiro gadā. Iecerēts, ka gadījumos, kad pašvaldība var piedāvāt vietu tuvumā, pilns līdzfinansējums privātajam bērnudārzam vairs nebūs automātisks. 8
Veselības ministrija sākusi darbu pie likumprojekta par bērnu piekļuves ierobežošanu sociālajiem medijiem, sekojot Austrālijas un Francijas piemēram. Bērnu un pusaudžu uzticības tālrunī zvani par paškaitējumu un pašnāvības domām šobrīd tiek saņemti teju katru otro dienu. Tikmēr organizācija "Drossinternets.lv", kas pagājušajā gadā 170 skolās vadīja 300 nodarbības, šogad finansējuma trūkuma dēļ nonākusi uz izdzīvošanas robežas. 9
Tiesībsardzes Karinas Palkovas ziņojumā Saeimā norādīts, ka iesniegumu skaits pērn pieaudzis par gandrīz 30 %. Lielākajā daļā gadījumu cilvēki vēlējušies saņemt skaidrojumu par savām tiesībām – tiesībsardze to vērtē kā ierēdniecības pārlieku formālās komunikācijas kultūras sekas. Konstatēti arī nopietni trūkumi sociālās aprūpes centros: nepietiekams uzturs, netīrība un nakts laikā ieslēgti iemītnieki. 10
Tieslietu ministrija virza Civillikuma grozījumus, nosakot, ka dzīvnieks nav manta. Pēc vairāk nekā 35 000 parakstu savākšanas plānots regulēt dzīvnieka mantošanas kārtību – dzīvnieks tiktu iekļauts kopējā mantojuma masā. 11
Ziņu apskata avoti
Foto | photo
Old Rīga facades
