Latvian Political Monitor

Night drone incident! Thank you to the National Armed Forces and NATO allies for their professional and operational response, successfully destroying the unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Latvian airspace in the middle of the night. Units are currently searching the area. Leadership is in contact with Balvi Municipality. We will inform you as soon as additional information is available. This is proof that Latvia's airspace is being protected. At the same time, such incidents remind us that we must continue to strengthen Latvia's eastern border surveillance and counter-drone capabilities in order to detect, identify, and neutralize any potential threat as quickly as possible.

Day No. 55 in the Prime Minister's seat. A dense day with real work in combating illegal immigration, controlling ministers' work, and evaluating the AirBaltic Strategic Plan. 🐺OPERATION 'VILKATIS' - In the morning, at a press conference we introduced the media to a new operation for the security of Latvia's eastern border. After five years of fighting illegal migrants, we are turning against the causes, not the consequences - using human resources and equipment more effectively. The Cabinet of Ministers today decided to establish a special working group, coordinating actions with Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and other countries in the region. If specific measures take place in a particular area, residents will be informed. Thanks for cooperation to the Interior and Defense ministers. We prove once again that only by working as a strong team can we achieve a result. Why the name 'VILKATIS'? Because it's Latvian and with strength. Strange interview @letanewslv - the questioning of PM candidates 'WHAT WAS THAT AT ALL?' - I want to ask what that really was??? It's good that politicians are made to report, but somehow there was totally a lack of even one question about the future, about what I plan to do... I still don't understand what they wanted to tell the viewer. https://t.co/kKbJUSOE97 📋 MINISTERS TOP3 WORKS PROGRESS - At the action discussion we reviewed the implementation of priority works. 7 priority measures completed, 26 activity results - from cooperation with Ukraine in the defense sector to reducing medicine prices and a decision on hospital network reorganization. In September, 9 more are planned to be completed. We have left a lot to the last moment, BUT positively, the ministers approach it with responsibility. The most important task for the ministers is to complete ALL works before the elections. I told the ministers - I am available if support is needed. There is little time. We must focus on priorities. That's why there is no more time for populism and topics that are not Cabinet-level issues. If the approach doesn't change - in the future I will include only Declaration issues in Cabinet meetings, because this government's term of office is limited. ✈️ AIRBALTIC - In the closed part of the government meeting, we heard the Transport Ministry's report on AirBaltic. A good plan for me means five specific things: private partners provide new financing, the state maintains significant participation, Riga remains the main base, no new state financing is needed, and a strategic investor is attracted. If these five conditions are met - that is a plan the market also believes in, not just one that looks good on paper. Is that how it is now? In any case, the company must be put back on 'solid feet'. The current problems are the result of ill-considered decisions made in previous years. After that followed many different questions that we discussed in both the open and closed parts of the meeting. I will share some of them. 🙋 NOT ALLOW VOLUNTEER WORK AT BUSINESSES? - We discussed such a proposal. In my opinion, absurd!!!! Young people want practice, are ready to work without remuneration - that's exactly how they gain experience. With such a regulation we exclude the possibility to do so, for example, helping to organize concerts, festivals or sports events, etc. Currently there is no generally regulated form of how a young person can gain experience in a company without an employment contract. But should volunteer work be banned altogether because of that? All that needs to be done to remove shadow economy risks is for SRS to develop a solution. 📜 PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION LAW - This made me smile. One organization demands paid membership in a commission, the establishment of which is determined by the Saeima. The purpose of the law - to reduce the bureaucratic burden, simplifying the approval of commissions. FULLY SUPPORT. But SRS already has its own control mechanism. It is clear that SRS can decide independently. Also without a commission. 💻DIGITAL GOVERNANCE - In the government, together with Edgars Tavars and VARAM we continued improving Digital Services. We agreed in the Cabinet of Ministers on the European digital identity 'wallet' (EDIM) - a voluntary tool that will not fully replace identity documents, but will include e-address functionality. 🏗️We approved VARAM's initiative in procurement, the possibility to use ready-made, market-available solutions. This will allow trying out the rarely used 'design dialogue' procurement form. ⚠️'SILENE' AND 'VIENTUĻI' equipping feasibility - We heard Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis. The project is good, but I am concerned about the ICT costs that add up. The task - SM together with FM, IeM and VARAM to evaluate the costs.

Starting today, the illegal immigrant interception operation 'VILKATIS' is being launched, involving border guard, police, armed forces, and service personnel. Purposeful cooperation between @janisdombrava and R.Melnis @AizsardzibasMin. The operation will be coordinated by the KVC (Crisis Management Centre) under my supervision. Together we must demonstrate that we can stop the hybrid attack of 🇷🇺 and 🇧🇾 migrants on our state border. The activities of migrant organisers will be purposefully combated - transport, asylum organisation, coordination. We will ask international allies to stop the global financing model of the network. We will regularly inform the public about progress, every Tuesday after the Cabinet of Ministers. We ask residents to be understanding when encountering greater presence of services and checks. Please do not worry if you see more intensive drone and transport presence in the border area and elsewhere. If you have questions or see suspicious activity - report to 112

The idle ones have managed to call this an 'illegal visit'. Hats off to @AndrisKulbergs for managing to visit all this in a day. https://t.co/MYBOcmLAzz

Day No. 53 in the prime minister's chair (Friday, Aug 7) – unofficial visit to Liepāja, Grobiņa, Nīca 😊 I visited entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers, municipal deputies, market ladies, residents, the crazy Liepāja folk ⚙️ RK Metal – Grobiņa A modern metalworking company with around 200 employees producing high-level metal structures, equipment, and specialized solutions for export. Here the problem of labor costs was again very clearly voiced. 🤒 From the entrepreneurs' point of view, a big problem is the abuse of the sick leave system and how much of the sick period is covered by the employer. ⏱ The second topic – 100% surcharge for overtime and complex bureaucracy to introduce more flexible solutions in the company. By comparison, we also talked about 🇸🇪Sweden, where in some cases the overtime surcharge model is more flexible. A welder's salary in Latvia has already approached the level I once saw in 🇳🇱 the Netherlands, having worked 13 years in the equipment manufacturing industry. This shows very well how serious the skilled labor problem has become in Latvia. ❤️ RŪRE Care Home This was a very personal visit for me. RŪRE once allowed my cousin Mārtiņš Lauva to live out his last days with dignity and helped fulfill his final wishes. That is why I know the value of mobile hospice services not from documents but personally. And I am seriously concerned that the Ministry of Health's ill-considered planning and conditions could jeopardize a system that Latvia could rightly be proud of in recent years. RŪRE has simultaneously taken on a huge risk by developing five regional healthcare centers in Kurzeme in a short time. The problem is again the same – delayed state planning, extremely short deadlines and bureaucracy. As a result, there is a risk of not using millions of euros of 🇪🇺EU funding. 🏗 Liepāja SEZ – industrial park on the former 'Metalurgs' territory We talked about: ➖️ industrial territory development; ➖️ military industry opportunities; ➖️ new production plants; ➖️ labor availability. In Liepāja unemployment is historically very low – around 4%, with only about 1,737 unemployed people. That's good, but it creates another problem for entrepreneurs – there is no one to hire. There is a particular shortage of technical specialists. Here the weakness of our education system in STEM subjects – mathematics, physics, engineering – is strongly felt. 🏠 The second problem – the lack of housing stock. Even if a company finds a specialist in another Latvian city, the person often has nowhere normal to live in Liepāja. Among development projects – also YOKOHAMA's plan to create a tire plant in addition to the existing alloy wheel production. 📦 CALJAN – from Liepāja to the whole world This is one of the companies Latvia should truly be proud of. CALJAN produces high-level logistics and small-parcel conveyor systems for global clients such as: Amazon, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DHL, Walmart and others. 🌍 About 30,000 units have already been delivered worldwide. And the most impressive thing – the company has relocated its: ➖️ R&D; ➖️ engineering; ➖️ production; ➖️ head office from 🇸🇪 Sweden to Liepāja. This is exactly the Latvian economic model I want to see more of – not cheap labor, but knowledge, engineering, technology and global exports. 👷 CALJAN employs around 410 people. But they too can no longer find enough workers in Latvia. About 40 people are already being hired through a 🇱🇹Lithuanian labor leasing company – including engineers, programmers and electricians from 🇮🇳 India and the Philippines. And the money for labor intermediation goes to Lithuanian companies, not stays in Latvia. 🏛 Meeting at Liepāja City Council @liepaja With the city leadership we discussed: ➖️ The Local Government Financial Equalization Fund; ➖️ Liepāja's development; ➖️ The Port Law and its further progress. ✈️ NORSAF – green aviation fuel project A very ambitious idea – producing future synthetic aviation fuel in Liepāja using green hydrogen. 🇪🇺 In the coming years, aviation will face increasingly strict requirements for sustainable aviation fuel blending – in 2030, 2035, 2040 and beyond. At the moment, however, the technology is still extremely expensive. 💶 Approximate: ➖️ new fuel – €7,000/t; ➖️ traditional Jet Fuel – around €1,500/t; ➖️ before the Hormuz crisis – around €600–800/t. This shows how huge a technological and economic leap is still needed. 🥒 Liepāja Market I'll be honest – I liked it more than Rīga Central Market. 😄 Cozier, more Latvian, and with a feeling that there are more local producers. In the shopping basket: 🍞 very good bread baked in Liepāja; 🍗 Rubeņi smoked chicken; 🥒 lightly salted cucumbers; 🍄 and, of course, chanterelles – because I have no time to go to the forest myself. ☹️ 📺 In between, also an interview with Liepāja TV. - about MP compensation 🏭 Liepāja Papīrs An impressive Latvian-level plant specializing in printing adhesive labels. 👷 Around 120 employees. The company invests very actively in modern production equipment and automation. Not because they don't want people, but because there simply aren't any. Training a new specialist takes up to two years. Hence, the labor shortage effectively forces companies to invest in technologies that allow them to produce more with fewer workers. 📦 Due to the Hormuz Strait conflict, the company has purchased about twice as much paper stock to ensure continuity of production. This in turn means more money frozen in the warehouse and pressure on production costs. 🖨 FORTIUS – printing house A smaller local printing and labeling company. And such companies are also very necessary – almost every city needs its own local printer that can quickly serve small and individual orders. 🥛 Kazdanga company “Baltu Piens” Two enterprising women joined forces, mortgaged their properties and used ALTUM financing to buy a farm. This story is also personally close to me, because my wife's parents live in Kazdanga. But the numbers raise very serious questions. 💶 The loan principal has been repaid about €50,000, but €39,713 has already been paid in interest. The interest rate – almost 9%. Moreover, to review the loan repayment schedule, ALTUM requires an additional fixed payment of 0.5% of the remaining amount. Then my question is simple: Is ALTUM's task not to be a state development financial institution that helps companies grow? If state funding conditions weaken a company more than help it develop, something is wrong with the system. Moreover, the new farm managers still need to invest about €459,000 in treatment facilities that the previous owners had not fixed. 🏎 Garage 1965 – Latvian rally history museum For all petrolheads – a must-see! 🔥 A very enjoyable museum. In Liepāja not only 'the wind is born' – there are very deep roots of Latvian rally and motorcycle sport. 👥 Meeting with Liepāja residents at the Latvian Society House 👥 Meeting with residents in Nīca 🧀 Nīca cheese and ZS “Skrodis” Again the seasonal labor problem. Vegetable and berry growers need people for specific seasonal work, but existing rules make attracting labor extremely complicated and expensive. Entrepreneurs point out that the set €1,700 salary threshold for attracting foreign labor for this type of work is too high and, given current agricultural product prices, makes production costs uncompetitive. And the reality in the countryside is harsh – local people often cannot be found even for such pay. Young people simply don't come to cut cabbage or pick berries. 🧀 But the cheese – seriously – one of the best I've tasted in Latvia. 🌅 End of the day – Red Sun Buffet Beach Bar Meeting with the owner, who has run a family business on the Liepāja seaside for 17 seasons, working both summer and winter. Here, too, the reality of the Latvian labor market is very clearly visible. 🇺🇦 Ukrainian families work at the company, engaging in work across several generations. They serve clients in Latvian, but the Ukrainian women have also introduced their own delicious traditions to the menu. 🎶 And every evening – live music with high-level musicians. What did I take from these two regional days? 🇱🇻 In Latvia we have fantastic entrepreneurs, farmers and manufacturers. They invest. Take risks. Export. Invent. Build factories. Take over markets. Create jobs. But at almost every stop I heard the same words: ⚠️ bureaucracy; ⚠️ labor shortage; ⚠️ tax and labor costs; ⚠️ slow state decisions; ⚠️ ill-considered regulation; ⚠️ difficulties obtaining financing; ⚠️ officials' fear of taking responsibility. The state's task should not be to train entrepreneurs in an obstacle course. The state's task is to create an environment where a person ready to risk, invest and create jobs can do so. For me, such visits are far more valuable than dozens of presentations in Rīga. Because only in a factory, in a field, in a warehouse, on a farm or at an entrepreneur's table can you understand what actually works in Latvia and what urgently needs fixing. @Apvienotais_

#krīviski https://t.co/bpJZKeaf1e

#krīviski https://t.co/WznqVHeMAn

Since July 10, the compensation procedure for damages caused by military incidents has been in force, which was one of the 3 main priorities of the Ministry of Justice! ✅ This is not only a clear signal to the people of Latvia, but has also had several other positive effects! Video author: LTV Rīta Panorāma (06.08.2026)

As I promised, changes will be made and the proposals of the Riga Heat investigation commission and the State Control will be put into use to reduce the heat tariff in Riga. Thank you @JanisVitenbergs and KEM VS @LigaKurevska for a very well-developed plan with clear deadlines and responsible parties to make the necessary changes in the short and long term.

@RicardsMiezitis @janisdombrava All due respect, comrade👍 Shall we go?

@RicardsMiezitis Richard, welcome to the National Guard ranks, where I am together with @janisdombrava and we are heading out for a week to chase down migrants through the border forests. There won't be matcha lattes and other progressive niceties, just a heads-up. But reality will probably change your mind 🫡

@MStakis @Progresivie @janisdombrava Steven Seagal was also a beloved martial arts actor who left an indelible positive mark on the film industry. Today he is a cog in the Russian propaganda machine. And what else is a cog in the hybrid war, Mārtiņ? That's just it, parallels… 🤝

Today, national security means much more than just military defense. 🛡️ We must be ready to practically take care of our people if a military incident occurs during peacetime. Therefore, a clear and predictable procedure for how the state compensates for losses caused by such incidents is an essential part of our country's resilience. 🎙️ In a Radio Skonto interview, I explain how the new procedure for compensating military losses in peacetime will work in practice.

In a month and a half, we have achieved significant progress in all three government priorities in the justice sector! 🚀 Today, at the Cabinet of Ministers' action meeting on the implementation of the government's priority work, I reported on the results achieved in all three priority areas of the ministry. 👇 ✅ DONE: As early as tomorrow, 10 July, our developed regulation will come into force, which for the first time establishes a clear procedure for how the state will compensate losses caused by military incidents in peacetime. 2️⃣ We are advancing the judicial system reform. The Saeima has supported in the first reading amendments to the Law “On Judicial Power”, which provide for more efficient court work, the transition to the court lawyer model and a stronger role for the Judicial Council. 3️⃣ We continue unwavering support for Ukraine. We are advancing changes to the legal framework for supporting Ukrainian civilians in Latvia and strengthening cooperation with Ukraine's justice system on its path to the European Union. The work does not stop. @tieslietas we continue work on the next stages of the reform to strengthen national security, modernize the judicial system and ensure consistent Latvian support for Ukraine.

@Vinotava @Eisenfaust0 @janisdombrava Linda, of course, you can cut bread with a knife, but also someone's throat. If you say it's for bread, then out of 500 pax. only 30 use knives, including tactical ones. In the National Guard I use that black one shown in the photo. It stands by the harness. We are not naive. We are also not darklings, of course.

@DievaSuns Common practice in the world when they bring in experts from outside.

A short but tense working week, both looking for solutions to help residents and entrepreneurs in Latgale municipalities, and also continuing support for Ukraine's defenders https://t.co/8nV3cXRAz1