Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast and shares a maritime border with Sweden to the west. Latvia covers an area of 64,573 km2 (24,932 sq mi), with a population of 1.83 million. The country has a temperate seasonal climate. Its capital and largest city is Riga. Latvians, who are the titular nation and comprise 65.5% of the country's population, belong to the ethnolinguistic group of the Balts and speak Latvian. Russians are the most prominent minority in the country, at almost a quarter of the population; 37.7% of the population speak Russian as their native tongue.
Source: tolatvia.com
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On Friday, 2 October, the very last day before the 15th Saeima elections, you can cast your vote in advance. You can do this at any polling station throughout Latvia between 12 noon and 3 pm.
The Progressives party has reported former party member Mārtiņš Eņģelis to the police over alleged sexual relations with a minor, newswire LETA reports.
During the first four days, at least 110,000 people took the opportunity to cast their votes in advance of the 15th Saeima elections, and a further 5,000 citizens have applied to vote by post, which the Central Election Commission also counts towards voter turnout, bringing the total to 7.44 per cent.
During the first three days, over 83,000 people took the opportunity to cast their votes in advance of the 15th Saema elections, and a further nearly 5,000 citizens have applied to vote by post, which the Central Election Commission also counts as voter turnout, bringing the total to 5.66 per cent, LSM.lv reports.
On September 30, 2026, the Latvian and Estonian Foreign Ministers presented the annual Language Award at the ASNI Contemporary Art Gallery. This year, the award went to Katarina Magere, an Estonian language teacher at Rīga Estonian Primary School, for her contribution to the education and development of students by teaching the Estonian language and literature and helping them learn about Estonian culture and traditions.
Reinis Uzulnieks, the former Minister for Welfare, who was caught driving whilst heavily intoxicated and has since been expelled from his party, has been accused under Section 262(1.1) of the Criminal Law for driving with a blood alcohol level of at least 1.5 per mille, Latvian Television reports on September 30.
During the first two days, around 38,600 people took the opportunity to cast their vote in advance of the 15th Saeima elections, whilst nearly 5,000 more citizens have applied to vote by post, which the Central Election Commission also counts as voter turnout, bringing the total to 2.79 per cent, according to the CVK's information on September 29.
On Monday, September 28th, around 26,000 voters took advantage of the opportunity to vote early and deposit their ballots ahead of the main parliamentary election day on Saturday, October 3rd.
If voters elect former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks to the Saeima at the weekend, he will be ready to carry on working as a member of parliament, the LETA newswire reports.
Pre-election campaigning for the upcoming Saeima elections lacks the passion that could stimulate voters/' interest in going to vote, former President Valdis Zatlers said on the Latvian Television programme "Morning Panorama" on September 28th.
During the current pre-election period, the State Security Service (VDD) is keeping a close eye on "what is happening in society and the information space" in order to prevent attempts to illegally influence the course and results of the 15th Saeima elections, it said on September 28th.
With just a few days to go before Latvia's parliamentary elections on October 3rd, parties continue to jostle for position, according to the latest data from the SKDS pollster produced for Latvian Television.
Uncertainty has arisen regarding the educational background stated by Artūrs Butāns, a Member of the Saeima for the National Alliance (NA), in the last three Saeima elections, according to information compiled by the LETA news agency.
During the week of the 15th Saeima elections, from Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October, voters can cast their votes in advance. This can be done at any of the 933 polling stations across Latvia, according to the Central Election Commission (CVK).
Several local authorities on the eastern border have been forced to make urgent changes to the staff at many polling stations. The State Security Service confirmed to the LSM Latgale editorial team on September 24 that a total of 6,000 polling station staff have been vetted across Latvia.
Sergey Fedotov, the father of politician Jūlija Stepaņenko (Sovereign Power/Union of New Latvians), a candidate in the 15th Saeima elections, has recently come to public attention. On Thursday, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity) added Fedotov to Latvia’s list of undesirable persons, barring him from entering the country for an indefinite period.
To ensure that cargoes stolen in Ukraine, including grain, are not transported through Latvian territory, the Saeima adopted an amendment to the Animal Feed Circulation Law in its final reading on Thursday, 24 September, according to the Saeima’s press office.
On Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima supported, at first reading, amendments granting the State Audit Office the right to carry out a financial audit of the accuracy of the annual report prepared by the Saeima.
‘Sovereign Power/Union of New Latvians’ is among the frontrunners in the polls ahead of the Saeima elections expected in early October. Its Prime Minister candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko has in recent weeks avoided answering questions about her father, who lives in Russia and from whom she has received substantial gifts, Latvian Television reported on September 23.
On Tuesday, the Latvian government imposed nationwide financial and entry restrictions on the Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Alisher Usmanov, according to documents attached to the agenda of the Cabinet of Ministers’ meeting.
The Executive Committee of the National Alliance (NA) has decided to expel Valts Dalbiņš, a candidate for a seat in the 15th Saeima, from the party, as he has, in posts on social media, justified violence against women and levelled prejudiced accusations against them.
According to the State Police, 290 Russian citizens in Rīga took part in the Russian "elections", representing just 0.8 per cent of all Russian citizens eligible to vote in Latvia.
On Thursday, 17th September 2026, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, met with the US Special Envoy to Belarus, John Coale.
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) will investigate an incident in which the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) gave bottles of black balsam to senior citizens, KNAB said on September 18. This week, on the Latvian Radio programme “Krustpunktā”, a listener asked ZZS MP Augusts Brigmanis to comment on the fact that, at a seniors’ gathering in Ogre on 23 August, the ZZS had given small souvenirs to senior citizens, including a “small bottle of black balsam” bearing the ZZS’s list number for the forthcoming Saeima elections.
Foreign ambassadors were the latest group to make the trip to Latvia's eastern border on September 16th, following on from recent outings for the President, Finance Minister and visiting diginataries.
On Wednesday, the Saeima’s Public Administration and Local Government Committee backed the proposal to subject parliament to audits by the State Audit Office.
As the 15th Saeima elections approach, debates between representatives of political forces are taking place virtually non-stop across various Latvian media outlets. "Re:Baltica"'s fact-checking project "Re:Check" investigated misleading statements made by politicians in them.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs will pay a working visit to the United States from September 17th to 28th to participate in the opening of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York and the 75th anniversary congress of the Latvian Association of America in Washington.
On Monday, September 14th Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Yi , to discuss the current situation and future cooperation in connection with the search for Latvian nationals missing after the devastating floods in Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, according to a release from the Foreign Ministry.
Reinis Uzulnieks, the leader of the Zemgale region list for the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), who was caught drink-driving this weekend, can no longer be removed from the list of candidates for the Saeima elections by either his party or the Central Election Commission (CVK). This would require a conviction, which is unlikely in the time remaining before the election, Ritvars Eglājs, Secretary of the Central Election Commission (CVK), told LSM.lv.
No preventive measure has been imposed on the former Minister for Welfare, Reinis Uzulnieks (ZZS), who was caught driving while heavily intoxicated, but he could face up to one year’s imprisonment for the offence, the LETA news agency has learnt.
The board of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) has decided, at an extraordinary meeting, to remove Reinis Uzulnieks from his post as Minister for Welfare, according to ZZS press secretary Dace Līce, Latvian Television reported Sunday, 13 September.
The Latvian government has completed 26% of the work it set as priorities, according to its own reckoning.
On 10th September, a meeting of the directors of the Consular Departments of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic and Nordic countries (NB8) took place in Tallinn, Estonia.
Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, decided on September 10th to back initial proposals that will extend the sanctions in place against aggressor states Russia and Belarus.
On 9th September 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, hosted Tom Berendsen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, who was visiting Latvia for the first time.
China has officially confirmed that all 33 missing Latvian nationals were believed to be in Tibet at the time of the recent catastrophic floods and had not crossed the border back to Nepal, Edīte Medne, Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed on Wednesday.
On 8th September, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a plan by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide EUR 100,000 in humanitarian assistance to Nepal to help mitigate the consequences of the floods.
What is the collective noun for Foreign Ministers? A gaggle? A conclave? A diplomacy? Whatever, on 9th September 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, will be in full-on hostess mode as she welcomes no fewer than seven fellow Foreign Ministers to Rīga.
On 7th September, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, signed a protocol on the implementation of the EU-Armenia readmission agreement.
On 7th September, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, is hosting her Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, who is visiting Latvia from 6th to 8th September.
On Monday, 7 September, Rihards Pīks, film director and former Latvian Minister for Culture as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs, passed away at the age of 84, his wife Sarmīte Pīka has announced.
With Latvia's next parliamentary elections due to take place on October 3rd, we can expect a significant increase in the number of column inches (if there is still such a thing as a column inch) dedicated to Latvian politics in the international press.
On Friday, 4th September from 10.00 to 13.30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host an international conference titled 'Conference on Belarus 2026'. The event is organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided another update on September 3rd on the status of dozens of Latvian citizens believed to be missing in Nepal following a catastrophic flood.
On Thursday, 3 September, Jānis Dombrava, Minister for the Interior (National Alliance), and Rihards Kozlovskis, Minister for Transport (New Unity), survived a vote of no confidence tabled by the opposition party Latvia First and several MPs not affiliated with any parliamentary group.
With exactly one month until polling day for Latvia's 15th Saeima elections on October 3rd, here's a rundown of a few important dates and deadlines over the next four weeks.
President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs is visiting the Vatican on 3-4 September.
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has so far received around 60 complaints regarding possible pre-election campaign violations. These have been confirmed in at least four cases, Latvian Radio reported on September 2.
Why have boring old imprecise political opinions when you can have snappy and exact political statistics? Here is a selection thrown up by October 3rd's Saeima elections!
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) published a decision on October 1st concerning a case brought by a resident of a Latvian care home who claimed he had been wrongfully detained by police officers.
Two people are being charged in the disturbing case of a 12-year-old girl who was raped in Vidzeme region – a man who had sexual relations with the girl, resulting in her becoming pregnant, and a woman who knew about the incident and did not report it to law enforcement.
At the beginning of 2026, there were 413,000 seniors aged 65 and over living in Latvia, which is 22.4% of the total population, according to data published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on October 1st.
In June this year, the State Security Service (VDD), in cooperation with the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD), detained a couple on suspicion of illegally gathering information about Latvia’s defence sector on behalf of the Russian military intelligence service (GRU), the VDD said on October 1.
On Wednesday, September 30, Latvia, together with other coalition partners, officially concluded its participation in the international coalition operation "Inherent Resolve" against the terrorist organization "ISIL/Da'esh", the aim of which was to ensure the military defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
A stand of trees, including a pine at least 377 years old and other trees of a similar age, has been felled in an area managed by the Forest Research Station near Rucava, Liene Brizga-Kalniņa, Head of Communications at the Latvian Fund for Nature (LDF), told the LETA news agency. Experts believe it was one of the oldest pine stands in Latvia.
On Wednesday, September 30, the Latvian Ministry of Defence, the government of Slovakia and the Czech defence industry company Tatra Defence Systems signed a trilateral agreement for the supply of 155 mm "Morana" artillery systems to the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS).
The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) in Dundaga has rescued more than 40 dogs that were being kept in cramped, unsuitable outdoor cages without proper care; some of the dogs were also severely emaciated. All the dogs will be taken to animal shelters.
New Eurostat data show that a majority of young Latvians live in homes that are classed as "overcrowded".
Two young men have been arrested in Daugavpils after stealing firearms from the premises of the Daugavpils shooting range on Sunday, 27 September. The State Police have launched a criminal investigation.
In response to potential Russian threats, Britain has committed to providing nuclear protection to the members of the Joint Response Force (JRF), including the Baltic states, reports Latvian Television.
Recently, there have been repeated attacks on surveillance systems, cameras and smart building control systems in several regions of Latvia, Varis Teivāns, deputy head of the cyber incident response agency ‘Cert.lv’, said in an interview on the Latvian Television programme ‘Morning Panorama’ on September 30.
The government on Tuesday approved the allocation of an additional 10 million euros to hospitals from the budget programme ‘Funds for unforeseen circumstances’.
Riga's 'Blue Flag' swimming areas have received a positive assessment from the Environmental Education Foundation and the National Jury of the Blue Flag Programme for the 2026 season, according to a release from Rīga city council.
On the night of Saturday, 26 September, the South Kurzeme District Municipal Police received an unusual call from Aizpute, where the residents of a block of flats had had their night’s sleep disturbed by a brawl that had broken out between a hedgehog and a badger, reports the website “liepajniekiem.lv”.
A Syrian citizen living in Dubai has become one of the investors in the large-scale real estate project dubbed "Riga Waterfront". However, a few years ago, he was convicted in Denmark in a large-scale money laundering case, LTV's De Facto investigative programme reported on September 27th as part of an investigation carried out in cooperation with the European Broadcast union (EBU) investigative journalism network.
From Tuesday 29 September, from 8.00 am on Tuesday 29 September until 8.00 am on Friday 2 October, Rīga water supplier ‘Rīgas ūdens’ will be flushing an 8.5 km section of the water main from Cēsu Street to the water outlet at the Dreiliņi roundabout.
On Monday, 28 September, Riga City Court sentenced a nurse at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) to two and a half years’ imprisonment after she accidentally mixed up the medication to be administered to a patient last November, resulting in the patient’s death.
To date, the main focus in establishing a network of bomb shelters in Latvia has been on identifying and adapting the basements of existing state and local authority buildings. One of the next steps involves industrially manufactured shelters. The Ministry of Economics is currently preparing standard documentation for the procurement of such shelters, Latvian Radio reported on September 28.
In the phishing simulation campaigns carried out last year by the cyber incident response organisation ‘Cert.lv’, 31.5 per cent of the 15,436 emails sent were opened, according to the 2025 report on Latvian cyber security and Cert.lv’s technical activities.
On Friday, 25 September, in the late afternoon, an incident occurred during a training exercise at the Ādaži military training area, in which four soldiers from the Italian contingent of the 11th Bersaglieri Regiment were injured, according to the National Armed Forces (NBS ).
In connection with the involvement of a person under the age of 16 in the production of pornographic material, two people were arrested in September this year – the child’s mother, who produced the material for financial gain, and a man who used it, according to the State Police's statement on September 25.
On Thursday, 24 September, four German Air Force ‘Eurofighter’ fighter jets arrived at the National Armed Forces’ ‘Lielvārde’ military base to temporarily reinforce the defence of Latvia’s airspace, said the Defence Ministry.
On Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima approved the participation of the National Armed Forces (NBS) in multinational military operations to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Latvia plans to deploy up to 20 soldiers to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines.
In mid-September, a woman showing signs of a violent death was found in Rīga, in the Jugla neighbourhood, near a block of flats, the State Police reported on September 24.
The State Police has reported an unusal chase where the driver was 13 years old.
With harvest in full swing, the question of where to put left-over apples, grass and other organic waste becomes more pressing for many home and garden owners.
At the “Jāņtārpiņš” kindergarten in Salaspils, dozens of children have been found to be suffering from an illness of unknown origin. Similar symptoms have also been observed in several adults – members of the nursery staff. The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) has already launched an epidemiological investigation, and the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) will carry out inspections on Wednesday, Latvian Radio reports.
Foxes in Ādaži Municipality have recently been laboratory-confirmed as infected with canine distemper (CDV); therefore, the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) urges dog owners to ensure that their dog has been vaccinated against this highly contagious viral disease.
On 15 September this year, the State Police arrested a hacker born in 2003 on suspicion of carrying out cyber-attacks against at least two Latvian companies for financial gain, the police said on September 23.
On Tuesday, 22 September, the Government endorsed the plan for measures to restrict immigration drawn up by the Ministry of the Interior (MoI), which includes more than 70 recommendations for controlling and restricting immigration.
Following a chase on Thursday, 17 September, the State Police arrested two people in Jelgava who had burgled a jewellery shop in Bauska a week earlier, the State Police have reported.
The Latvian company ‘Carbon Less Future’ has won an award from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in the ‘Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses’ category of the ‘DesignEuropa Awards’, LSM.lv reports on September 22.
On 18 September, officers from the Riga Regional Directorate of the State Police detained a man born in 1998 at a shopping centre in Riga, who had allegedly approached underage girls and offered them money in exchange for engaging in sexual acts. The suspect has been remanded in custody.
Ombudsman Karina Palkova has identified significant violations of children’s rights at a children’s home in Latgale, including inadequate nutrition and funding for the children’s needs, as well as staff failing to communicate sufficiently in the state language, Palkova said in an interview on the Latvian Radio programme “Good Morning” on September 22.
Last week, the police arrested an organised group of six people in Rīga and the surrounding area on suspicion of drug dealing. Several storage facilities were uncovered, and a large quantity of various narcotic substances was seized: cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine and other substances, police said on September 21.
The National Armed Forces have issued a warning covering Krāslava municipality regarding a potential threat to airspace. A cell broadcast alert was sent to residents of this municipality. The warning that had been issued ended shortly before midnight.
Almost two years ago, the police uncovered an illegal cigarette distribution network; some of those involved are now in the dock, whilst others are still awaiting trial. The initial investigation has given rise to several parallel cases, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on September 21.
On Thursday, September 17, in Krāslava Municipality, border guards, in cooperation with State Police officers, detained a person transporting individuals who had illegally crossed the state border.
In a significant development on September 17th, it was announced that extra NATO jets will be coming to Latvia "to reinforce Latvian airspace protection during elections."
The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, has decided to include Russian ice hockey superstar Alexander Ovechkin on Latvia's list of personae non gratae, a Foreign Ministry announcement said on September 17th.
On Tuesday, September 15, the Cabinet of Ministers made a decision to purchase "Morana" 155 mm wheeled artillery systems from the Czech manufacturer Excalibur Army for the needs of the National Armed Forces instead of the Swedish "Archer" systems it originally said it would buy.
This week in Poland, several dozen migrants who had applied for asylum in Latvia were stopped in a lorry. The group was heading towards Germany, but they were returned to Latvia via Lithuania, Latvian Television reported on September 17.
The Prosecutor’s Office has received the criminal case against Reinis Uzulnieks, the former Minister for Welfare, who was driving under the influence of alcohol, the LETA news agency reported on September 17.
The State Security Service (VDD), in response to an ultimatum publicly issued by a pro-Kremlin group, launched criminal proceedings on 9 September this year regarding threats to carry out acts of terrorism against companies in Latvia that supply arms to Ukraine, the VDD reported.
On Friday, September 18th, 2026, two diaspora events will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the Latvian Diaspora Forum 2026 and the Diaspora Advisory Council meeting.
A month after Health Minister Hossam Abu Meri (New Unity) survived a no confidence vote in the Latvian parliament, a medics' union has called on him to quit.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has pardoned inventor Raimonds Skuruls, who was recently convicted of extortion in connection with a security vulnerability discovered in the Road Traffic Safety Directorate's (CSDD) information technology (IT) system, presidential advisor Mārtiņš Drēģeris confirmed to the LETA newswire on Wednesday.
From 16 to 20 September, the active phase of the comprehensive national defence exercise ‘Namejs 2026’ will take place in Rīga and the surrounding area, according to the Rīga City Council.
On Tuesday, September 15, Latvian Minister of Defence Raivis Melnis welcomed Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto on a working visit and the pair used the occasion to hand out medals to Italian fighter pilots who recently downed a drone over Latvian territory.
The proportion of cashless payments in Latvia has reached a record high. In August this year, cashless payments accounted for 81 per cent of transactions, while cash payments made up 19 per cent, according to the latest – autumn 2026 – edition of the Bank of Latvia’s ‘Payment Radar’.
According to the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data published on September 29, retail trade turnover in August 2026 was 3.5 % higher than a year ago (calendar-adjusted data at constant prices).
Latvia is ready for the heating season, but people will most likely have to pay more for heating. The Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM) estimates that, in the event of a mild or moderately cold winter, heating costs could rise by 10 to 15 per cent, Latvian Radio reported on September 25. In some local authorities, the increase may be even greater.
On Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima approved, at its final reading, amendments to the Law on Limiting Price Increases for Petroleum Products, which provide for a reduction in the excise duty rate on diesel fuel and unleaded petrol from 1 October until the end of the year.
Several draft laws aimed at reducing fuel prices are being put forward for approval by the Saeima. This was decided on Wednesday by the Saeima’s Budget and Finance (Tax) Committee, according to the Saeima Press Service.
The Minister for Economic Affairs, Viktors Valainis (Union of Greens and Farmers), has instructed ‘Rīgas siltums’ and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EM) to draw up proposals this week on how to reduce the expected rise in heating tariffs in Riga. The company currently estimates that the tariff could rise by 20 to 30 per cent from December.
According to the Central Statistical Bureau survey on energy consumption in households, published on September 21, 83.9 % of the energy resources consumed in households in 2025 were used for space and water heating.
Provisional data published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on September 14th show that, compared to the 1st quarter of 2026, in the 2nd quarter of 2026 prices of dwellings in Latvia rose by 3.9 %.
The Bank of Latvia, in collaboration with providers of essential services and retailers, has introduced a solution for situations where card payments cannot be made in the usual way due to internet or mobile network disruptions – offline card payments. This would enable people to purchase essential goods – food, fuel and medicines, according to the Bank of Latvia.
Fuel prices in Latvia are approaching record highs, whilst oil prices on the global market are once again rising sharply, Latvian Television reported on September 9.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data show that in July 2026 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 4.01 billion, and at current prices it was 10.5 % higher than a year ago.
At the start of September, fuel prices in Latvia have once again risen above two euros per litre. Current trends suggest that fuel prices are not expected to fall or stabilise, as Ieva Ligere, head of the Latvian Fuel Retailers’ Association, said in an interview on the Latvian television programme “Morning Panorama” on Wednesday morning.
Heat supply companies are preparing for the heating season and currently regard the average tariff increase as moderate. At the same time, there remains a risk that high woodchip and natural gas costs will lead to an increase in heating prices, Latvian Radio reported on September 8.
Latest data published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) on September 8th show that in August 2026, compared to July 2026, the average level of consumer prices rose by 0.3 %.
The State Security Service (VDD) carried out criminal investigation operations on Thursday and during the night of Thursday to Friday at four premises in Rīga and the surrounding area linked to the “Mnogoknig” bookshop chain, which primarily sells books in the Russian language, the service confirmed to the LETA news agency.
On Thursday, 3 September, the oral auction for the leasehold rights to the Rēzekne recreation or spa centre came to a close. A tenant has finally been found for the property, which the local authority had been seeking for some time, according to the Rēzekne City Council.
Central Statistical Bureau data published on September 2 show that in Q2 2026 the average monthly gross wages and salaries stood at 1,886 euro (in full-time units). Compared with Q2 2025, the average monthly earnings before taxes increased by 78 euro or 4.3 %. Hourly earnings increased to 13.18 euro, or by 3.9 %.
In the second round of the public-private partnership rental housing programme, the majority of the local authorities involved have decided not to continue their participation due to unpredictable costs, so the round has been cancelled, Latvian Radio reported on September 2.
Perhaps influenced by the tense geopolitical situation in the region, the number of tourists choosing to stay in Latvia dropped in the first six months of 2026, according to fresh Eurostat figures.
Thousands of litres of milk poured down the drain – these are the consequences that prolonged power cuts have caused for dairy farmers, Vidusdaugava Television reported on August 31.
Data published on August 31 by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) shows that in the first 6 months, compared to the respective period of the previous year, GDP at constant prices (seasonally and calendar non-adjusted) increased by 2.8 %. GDP at current prices comprised EUR 21.3 billion.
Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that, compared to July 2025, in July 2026 total retail trade turnover in Latvia rose by 7.0 %.
By 6.00 am on Friday, 28 August, electricity distributor ‘Sadales tīkls’ had restored power to the majority of customers affected by the storm; around 2,500 customers remain without electricity.
As intensive work continues in the wake of the storm at the weekend, power supply had been restored to approximately 98.5 per cent of customers affected by the storm by 6.00 am on 27 August.
On Tuesday, August 25th, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a protocol decision prepared by the Ministry of Finance on a general review of public procurement practices.
After the storm that ravaged Latvia over the weekend, as of the evening of August 25, power had been restored to the high-voltage lines; work is now underway on the medium- and low-voltage lines, where the cables have been torn by the wind and the electricity pylons have been toppled. Latvian Television travelled to the Jēkabpils area to find out how the restoration of the power lines is progressing.
The losses reported to insurers following the weekend storm are still in their early stages. On Monday, insurers received around 1,000 applications, and the total compensation amounts to be paid out will likely be in the millions of euros, said Jānis Abāšins, president of the Latvian Insurers Association, in an interview with Latvian Radio.
The reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) rate for certain food products, which came into effect on July 1, has been noticed by only 40% of the population, according to a survey by the research company "Norstat" commissioned by LSM.lv.
According to the Central Statistical Bureau data published on August 19, in Q2 2026 the number of non-resident and resident arrivals at Latvian tourist accommodation establishments comprised 750.0 thousand, which is an increase of 1.2 % compared with Q2 2025.
By 2030, it is planned to build 732 affordable rental homes in Rīga – in the Pļavnieki, Ziepniekkalns, and Bolderāja disctricts, according to the agency State Real Estate (Valsts nekustamie īpašumi, VNĪ).
From Wednesday, 18 August, the ban on consumer credit advertising has been lifted, whilst strict requirements have been imposed on the content of such adverts, Latvian Radio reported on August 19.
The Latvian central bank, Latvijas Banka (LB) has published its annual Financial Stability Report in English. A report has been published every year since 2003 "to raise public awareness regarding the development of the Latvian financial system and to draw attention to systemic risks."
At the end of last week, Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis (United List) met with Bank of Latvia (LB) Governor Mārtiņš Kazāks to discuss possible cooperation between the Ministry of Finance (FM) and the LB in preparation for the next European Union (EU) funds planning period 2028-2034.
In 2025, mean monthly household consumption expenditure per household member amounted to 619 euros, according to Central Statistical Bureau data published on August 17.
The price of bonds issued by Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic, has fallen by 42.1 per cent since Monday, 10 August – to 16,500 euros per bond, according to information from Deutsche Börse.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data published on August 11 show that in June 2026 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 3.87 billion, and at current prices it was 16 % higher than a year ago.
To encourage timely payment of administrative fines, the Ministry of Justice is proposing changes where in certain cases, the fine would be reduced if paid on time, the Ministry announced on August 11.
Potato harvest this year is likely to be better than last year, and potato prices are lower – good news for buyers, not so good for sellers, Latvian Radio reported on August 12.
The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), published on August 11, show that, compared to July 2025, in July 2026 the average level of consumer prices increased by 2.6 %.
The energy infrastructure company SIA ‘Enersense’ is to build a 100-megawatt (MW) capacity, 200-megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) park in Grobiņa parish, the company announced on August 10.
Enjoy the warm weather while you can, because heating bills could rise by up to 20% from the Autumn.
Three Latvian pellet producers, by signing a memorandum, have committed to prioritising the supply of their production to the local market, according to the Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM) statement on August 6.
During these August days, farmers are making the most of every sunny moment to harvest their grain. Farmers are pleased that most of the grain they have grown – at least under the current conditions – is of a higher quality, and many have managed to harvest food-grade wheat, Latvian Radio reported on August 6.
Central Statistical Bureau calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) published on August 4th show that in June 2026 industrial production output in Latvia increased by 0.5 % year on year.
In the South Kurzeme region and in Liepāja, household waste collection charges are set to rise twice this year, Latvian Radio reported on August 4.
The state-owned company AS ‘Sadales tīkls’ (ST) will build two new substations in Saulkrasti and Saldus, as well as modernise the existing infrastructure in Salacgrīva, thereby enabling new electricity producers and consumers to be connected to the grid, the company announced on July 30.
The poultry farming company AS ‘Balticovo’ has invested more than two million euros in a staff apartment block project in Iecava, the company announced on July 29.
Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) and published on July 29th show that, compared to June 2025, in June 2026 Latvia's total retail trade turnover rose by 4.8 %.
Just one day before the event, the concert by American musician Pitbull in Mežaparks has been cancelled. The hospitality sector is also already facing cancellations of bookings, whilst the Consumer Rights Protection Centre will be monitoring the situation to ensure that consumer rights are upheld, namely that the money spent on tickets is refunded, Latvan Radio reported on July 29.
The restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages, introduced a year ago, have not significantly reduced alcohol purchases, but have changed shoppers’ buying habits, with people adjusting the times at which they shop, according to retailers surveyed by the LETA news agency on July 29.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia on Friday will be mainly sunny and warm.
Forecasts suggest that Latvia will experience summery weather this week.
Monday morning in Latvia is chilly, and foggy in many places, but the day is set to be sunny and warm, according to forecasts by Toms Bricis, LSM's weatherman.
Forecasts indicate that prolonged rain is expected in many parts of Latvia on Friday, September 25.
Forecasts indicate that rain is expected frequently in Latvia this week.
Forecasts indicate that rain is expected across Latvia on Monday.
Forecasts indicate that a new band of precipitation will reach Latvia from the west on Friday afternoon.
Meteorological summer is gradually drawing to a close in Latvia, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts suggest that Monday will begin with mostly overcast skies.
Forecasts indicate that on Thursday the weather in Latvia will become cooler, windier and, at times, rainy.
By 3 pm on Wednesday, the 9 September heat record had been broken at three observation stations, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts suggest that Wednesday in Latvia will be warm, even hot, with summer-like weather.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will feel like summer over the next few days, but it will become cooler and rainier again in the second half of the week.
On Friday, a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms is in force across Kurzeme and much of Vidzeme, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will gradually become cooler and more autumnal this week.
According to the forecast, the calendar summer in Latvia will end with a mostly sunny and warm day, although there will be showers in places.
Forecasts show that it will rain frequently in Latvia during the first month of autumn, with heavy rain expected at times.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will become sunnier and drier over the next few days.
At the height of the storm that batters Latvia this weekend, on Sunday morning, the electricity supply was disrupted for around 277,000 households, according to power distributor “Sadales tīkls”. At around 16:30, some of the faults had been rectified and power supply was disrupted for around 191,000 customers.
A large storm which hit Latvia for much of Saturday continues on Sunday morning, with the power supply to approximately 277,000 households disrupted according to network operator Sadales tīkls.
A severe storm is expected to hit Latvia on Saturday, August 22nd. A red (high danger) warning is in place across a band of central Latvia including Rīga, with orange (danger) and yellow (potential danger) warnings in other parts of the country.
On Saturday, the weather in Latvia is set to deteriorate significantly, with forecasts predicting heavy downpours and winds that will cause damage.
Forecasts indicate that brief showers are expected in many parts of Latvia on Wednesday.
Forecasts indicate that rain is expected more frequently in Latvia during the first half of the week.
Forecasts indicate that brief showers are expected in many parts of Latvia on Monday, with thunderstorms in some areas.
On Friday, the weather in Latvia will be mainly sunny, although the day will be mostly overcast in the very east of the country, according to forecasts.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will become cooler and windier over the next few days.
Forecasts suggest that warm weather is expected in Latvia on Monday.
According to data from ‘timeanddate.com’, the brightest quarter of the year has come to an end in Latvia and the solar autumn has begun.
On Thursday, a heat warning will be in force across central and eastern Latvia, including Riga, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will become hotter on Wednesday, according to weatherman Toms Bricis.
Forecasters predict that air temperatures in Latvia will rise in the middle of this week and fall slightly towards the end of the week.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia on Monday will be mostly sunny and warm.
On Friday, by 3 pm, the air temperature at the Jelgava weather station in Staļģene reached +31.8 degrees, breaking the heat record for the last day of July.
Forecasts suggest that Friday will be the hottest day of the week.
Forecasts suggest that the weather in Latvia will become hotter on Thursday.
Forecasts indicate that rain and thunderstorms are expected in many parts of Latvia on Monday.
Intense rains on the evening of Monday, July 20th, caused damage in Talsi region, where the Dursupe mill lake overflowed and the water flooded the surrounding area and washed out local roads.
An orange (danger) warning has been issued across a large part of Latvia for violent storms which are expected to hit the country on Monday, July, 20th.
There will be heat, rain, and thunderstorms in Latvia over the weekend, but the weather will become colder next week, according to forecasts.
The weather in Latvia will be mostly sunny on Monday, according to forecasts, with a warm week to follow.
An orange warning (danger) for thunderstorms is in place for south-eastern Latvia on Sunday evening.
Starting Sunday, the weather in Latvia will become drier and warmer, and will often be even hot, according to forecasts by weatherman Toms Bricis.
Rain is expected throughout Latvia on Wednesday, with heavy rain in some areas; therefore, a yellow-level alert for heavy precipitation is in effect, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC).
Forecasts indicate that heavy rain is expected in Latvia in the middle of this week.
Forecasts indicate that the sun will shine in Latvia on Monday, but brief rain showers and thunderstorms are also expected in many areas, according to weatherman Toms Bricis.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia this weekend will be overcast with frequent rain.
Rain is expected throughout Latvia on Friday, with heavy rain and thunderstorms in some areas, according to forecasts.
The extreme heat of recent days is abating on Tuesday, though a yellow (potential danger) warning remains in place across a large section of southern and eastern Latvia.
Forecasts indicate that the heat will subside in the second half of this week.
