Latvian Political Monitor

Latvia needs to involve 'white hackers' in strengthening national cybersecurity. 👨🏼‍💻 There must be a clear distinction between malicious intrusion and data extortion versus situations where a person discovers a system vulnerability and responsibly reports it. Therefore, work is underway together with other ministries on legislative amendments and a clear procedure for legally discovering and reporting such vulnerabilities. Latvia is a small country, and in the field of cybersecurity we need the knowledge of all capable people. The state's task is to create a system where honest help is used for public safety. Video: TV24 'Ziņu TOP' 17.09.

Regarding the governance of state-owned companies... it must be fundamentally changed in the next government. All state-owned companies must be placed under the Latvian Development Fund, where there would be professional management and the earned money would be reinvested and earn, rather than be consumed in maintaining the state apparatus. Investments would earn with interest. The shares of this LV Development Fund would be listed on the stock exchange and would obtain the necessary capital for energy projects, regional construction, strengthening the border, infrastructure projects such as roads and railways, etc.

Very correct action from the Minister of Justice @EdvardsSmiltens This kind of situation is not acceptable in elections https://t.co/ujJUbSK5uj

A candidate for the office of Prime Minister of Latvia must not have hundreds of thousands of euros of unclear origin from Russia. Jūlija Stepaņenko has declared monetary and real estate donations from her father living in Russia worth 419,598.05 euros, but refuses to explain the origin of the funds. Therefore, I have turned to KNAB, VDD, SAB, and FID, calling for verification of the origin of the funds, possible foreign influence, and whether the money was used to finance party activities or pre-election campaigning. If funding from Russia has been indirectly channeled to the party, there is also grounds to consider possible criminal liability. A person who aspires to lead the Latvian government must provide the public with clear and verifiable answers. Latvia's political independence and national security are not a private matter. There must be no unanswered questions here.

Strong probation means fewer repeat offences, fewer victims and a safer society. Probation is based on the belief that people can change. If they are ready to take responsibility and start anew, the state must give them a real opportunity to do so — providing not only supervision but also support on the way back into society. The results of the State Probation Service confirm its importance: 🔹 in 2025, the service handled almost 15,000 cases; 🔹 probation clients worked 293,521 hours of community service, generating approximately €1.26 million of benefit for society; 🔹 importantly, one day of probation costs the state an average of €4.15 per person, while a day in prison costs €62.08. Timely engagement with children and young people is especially important. Early and individual support can help change behaviour before offences become repeated. At the same time, the service itself must be strengthened. Staff workload is growing, so it is necessary to improve work organisation, attract new specialists and continue the digitalisation of processes. To reduce administrative burden, the service has already identified 169 specific measures so that specialists have more time to work with people. Thank you to the @probacija team for the work that every day helps make Latvia safer. 🇱🇻🤝

Freshest interview for Polish television - Baltic security, Russia threat, Latvia's readiness and elections (below is link to the full interview on YouTube) https://t.co/fhlWTITYZa

This morning's interview with EuroNews about Eastern flank security, about Russian aggression and provocations; Russia is increasing cruise missile production, which is only possible because the West continues to supply electronic components = a complete ban must be introduced. So it turns out some profit, while the whole EU overpays for anti-missile systems for Ukraine.

Terrorism tries to break people with fear. Ukraine proves every day that courage, the will for freedom, and national unity cannot be broken. Today, on 11 September, the International Day against Terrorism, in Kyiv together with Ukrainian colleagues and international partners I honored the memory of victims of terrorism and fallen employees of the State Criminal Enforcement Service of Ukraine. Since Russia's started war, more than a thousand employees of the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice system have joined the defenders of the state. 58 of them have fallen defending their land, nation, and the right to live in a free country. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a life that Russian terror has brutally cut short. I bow my head before the fallen. Their courage places upon us a duty not to tire, to continue supporting Ukraine, and to do everything possible so that the aggressor is held accountable. Heroes die only when they are forgotten. We will not forget. 🇱🇻🇺🇦

@mansviedoklis1 @AndrisKulbergs @ivchix The Prime Minister got confused, humanly forgivable, given the workload that most of us could hardly handle. Including me. But politics is an arena for mockery, it comes with the office, so now go ahead and sneer😏

#krīviski https://t.co/pu2ojAheKQ

I think a lot about the contradictions of our democracy. On one hand, freedom of speech and thought is a holy grail value. On the other, we watch as traitorous powers fill the information space. In my opinion, boundaries must be drawn if it concerns national security. These orcs cross them laughing. What to do? https://t.co/CURRcXzvGm

@realNepareizais I think it's a very good idea

INFORMATION ABOUT DOGS THAT BIT CHILDREN Dogs that bite children on the street must be euthanized if owners are unable to ensure their safe supervision. We live in a state governed by the rule of law, and this must be done in accordance with the law (the law stipulates that dogs that have caused harm must be put down). First, the police must provide a conclusion. The main responsible party is the owner. Every person who takes on a dog must be responsible for its socialization and training. As a person, a father of children, and a responsible dog owner, I believe that if you cannot ensure that your dog is not dangerous to others, you should not have that animal. And yes, unfortunately, the fate of these dogs must be decided and they must be put down. HERE IS PRECISE INFORMATION ABOUT TODAY'S SITUATION: Here is a brief summary of the dog case: * After the dog attack on September 4 in Carnikava, in which six children and a teacher were injured, the State Police has initiated criminal proceedings, while the municipal police has initiated administrative violation proceedings. After initial procedural actions, the dogs were returned to the owner. * From July 1, 2026, a new legal framework (amendments to the Animal Protection Law) is in force regarding dogs that have attacked a person. It provides for a special procedure for keeping such dogs, as well as conditions under which a dog must be euthanized. * Mandatory euthanasia is provided if a dog has caused serious bodily injury or death to a person and the dog's owner has been held criminally liable for violation of animal keeping rules - a court ruling has entered into force. Therefore, euthanasia is not automatic immediately after an attack. * For the practical application of the amendments, the Ministry of Agriculture had to develop Cabinet of Ministers regulations by July 1 on the keeping regime for attacking dogs. They provide for stricter requirements: muzzles, short leash, adult handler, and other restrictions, but the regulations have not yet been adopted. * The Ministry of Agriculture's delay is not the reason why the Carnikava dogs were not euthanized or were returned to the owner, but it means that the security regime provided for in the new regulation after a dog attack has not been fully implemented in the country. The Ministry of Agriculture bears political responsibility for this incompleteness of the regulation.

@UldisTrokss @Apvienotais_ Well, that must be enjoyed by law enforcement authorities and by those who manage the capital company.

The case with the dogs is something terrible and such situations must not happen again. I feel for the victims and their families. Wishing a quick recovery! I will follow up to ensure that the PVD procedures regarding aggressive animals are carried out in accordance with the seriousness of the situation. https://t.co/EKdbvHxRKa

Yesterday, on September 5, a serious incident occurred during a walk of the preschool "Riekstiņš" pupils, in which six children were injured. A group of 19 children, accompanied by a teacher and a teacher's assistant, had gone on a previously agreed walk outside the educational institution's territory, following the approved walking route. During the walk, two unsupervised dogs approached the group of children from the end of Lašu Street. According to information provided by the institution, six children were injured in the incident, two of whom were hospitalized. One of the teachers accompanying the children was also injured. Four administrative violation proceedings have been initiated in connection with the incident. The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has been informed and will take action within its competence regarding the assessment of the dogs. The municipality is cooperating with the police, the Food and Veterinary Service, and other responsible services to clarify all circumstances and assess necessary further safety measures. After the police's procedural actions, the dogs were handed over to their owner. https://t.co/xHOtQmRb3g

In Germany, a terror attack against the electricity supply system. Short circuits were created in two different places in the high-voltage network, as a result of which power plants disconnected. Such events show how truly unprotected the electricity supply system is. For us it was just wind, trees fell, but in Germany saboteurs simply took firecrackers and shot wires across overhead lines, created a short circuit. It costs practically nothing and it seems practically impossible to protect against such actions.

📍Development of Latvia's national economy; 📍EBRD involvement in the development of the Baltic capital market; 📍Security in the region. Today in Riga we discussed these and other important issues with the EBRD Head of the Baltic Office, Ahmad El Mokadem. https://t.co/Paitp3zu5J