Commentary
Recent commentary
Apple re-emerges in the Baltics
Atskaite par vizītes trīs galveniem uzdevumiem
Platforma’s plans for free music raise questions
Tempo of change quickens in Latvian politics
Only a new cork in the old bottle?
Valsts prezidenta apsveikums tautiešiem ārzemēs
It was over-ambition that killed the beast
Politics in Latvia
08 Apr 2008
Tempo of change quickens in Latvian politics
After the dramatic entry on the political scene of Sandra Kalniete’s and Girts Kristovskis’ new political movement, the Democratic Patriotic…
03 Feb 2008
Only a new cork in the old bottle?
Dramatic events in the last few days, with defections from the New Era (Jaunais laiks) party, represent an understandable and…
06 Nov 2007
It was over-ambition that killed the beast
On the extraordinary fairy-tale of how a majority government, commanding all significant power, mercilessly skilful in its political manipulations, and…
01 Jul 2007
To the referendum!
The past month’s political events have tended to overshadow the coming referendum on July 7. And this—in some cases—was what…
28 May 2007
Presidential games reveal political shortcomings
While anything written here on the Latvian presidential selection shenanigans may be rendered instantly obsolete by the next unpredictable turn…
04 May 2007
Will the referendum change Latvia’s politics?
Latvia’s political intrigues took another turn when by May 2 enough citizens had signed for a referendum to be held…
01 Apr 2007
Five days that shook Latvia
The extraordinary events of March 10-14 have thrown the Latvian political system into unprecedented turmoil. It has turned on its…
07 Feb 2007
We may all be in for a tough four years
The past year in Latvian politics was not only eventful, but one that could well be pivotal: an election and…
30 Sep 2006
Latvia faces desperate Saeima election
An unpleasant and seemingly hopeless air surrounds the coming 9th Saeima election on Oct. 7. A quite spiteful pre-election campaign…
30 Aug 2006
A curious system and a curious election
Pre-election campaigns—and pre-election muckraking—are hotting up for the Latvian Saeima (Parliament) elections on Oct. 7. But unlike previous elections, there…
11 May 2006
Latvia’s politics spiral downward
With elections for the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, due this October, the first few months of 2006 have seen a stunning…
24 Dec 2005
Local politics dull shine of Latvia’s gains
During 2005, there was no change of government in Latvia. Perhaps this time there should have been. It was largely…
13 Jun 2005
Bordering on the incompetent
This year has seen some impressive gains by Latvia and the other Baltic states in foreign relations, but all that…
01 Apr 2005
President’s diplomatic offensive is high stakes
Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga is playing for high stakes. She took everyone by surprise in January when she announced her…
15 Jun 2004
Western Latvians as political enemies
The jubilation over Latvia’s into the European Union, and the more muted but perhaps even more significant pleasure over accession…
15 May 2004
EU membership to test Latvia’s maturity
May Day 2004. Instead of the workers of the world (or at least Europe) uniting, ten new nations of the…
21 Oct 2003
Now it’s back to the village pump
Latvia’s result in the referendum about joining the European Union, with 67 percent of a strong turnout voting “yes,” delighted…
16 Sep 2003
Estonia jumped, but will Latvia follow?
In a Sept. 14 referendum, nearly 67 percent of Estonian voters said “yes” to joining the European Union. While a…
22 Aug 2003
Battle for EU membership is far from over
As Latvia moves towards the Sept. 20 referendum on joining the European Union, recent events have unexpectedly created uncertainty over…
17 Dec 2002
Potato politics
The euphoria of being invited to join the NATO defense alliance has barely abated, and now an equally significant moment…
25 Nov 2002
A kiss on the hand or daggers behind the scenes?
Last week’s decision by NATO to invite Latvia and six other former Soviet bloc countries to join the organisation is…
10 Nov 2002
New government formed, but how long will it last?
Well, they did manage to form a government after all! After weeks of wrangling and an almost painfully slow process,…
28 Oct 2002
From horse race to horse-trading
The Saeima (parliament) elections are over. Now a new government is formed. Right? In Latvia it is never quite that…
15 Oct 2002
An election postmortem
The 8th Saeima elections of Oct. 5 produced a largely predictable result, justifying the claims of political pollsters in Latvia.…
30 Sep 2002
What’s so new about New Era?
Undoubtedly the greatest talking point of the forthcoming Saeima (parliament) elections on Oct. 5 is the appearance of a completely…
13 Sep 2002
Look to the left, look to the right…
The peculiarities of the Latvian electoral system fade in comparison to the complexities of Latvian political parties. The seeming unpredictability…
30 Aug 2002
Voting in Latvia can be confusing
It’s an election year in Latvia. Some of us who have grown up in western democracies and are now citizens…
What's new
News
15 May 2008
Statistics show continued slide in Latvia’s population
Latvia’s population continued to decline last year, but at a slower pace than in 2006, according to the…
News
14 May 2008
Pension initiative appears to have enough signatures
With just two days left in a citizen initiative to compel the Latvian parliament to boost state pensions,…
Music
13 May 2008
Prāta Vētra releases ninth album, sets concert tour
Rock group Prāta Vētra on May 13 released its latest album, Tur kaut kam ir jābūt (Brainstorm Records,…
In the forums
Latvia does good with child in Halifax posted by doabolit on 15 May 2008
Maijbokkvizs posted by Roberts on 14 May 2008
Sveiks Saulainais Maijs! posted by Mr L L on 13 May 2008
Only 14% of Russians in LV acknowledge occupation; 50,000 celebrated Soviet "Victory" Day in "Uzvaras" Park. posted by ambersun on 13 May 2008
Congressional Research Report on Latvia posted by Andrejs on 13 May 2008
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