The Livonian heritage is kept alive by people who care for it. Their work deserves state recognition! ✍🏼 Today I signed a cooperation memorandum for the establishment of the Uļi Kīnkamag award. Together with the State Language Centre, the University of Latvia and its Livonian Institute, we will honour people who have made a lasting contribution to strengthening the Livonian language, culture, identity and rights. The award is named after Uļi Kīnkamag, a defender of Livonian rights. More than a hundred years ago, he stood up for the Livonians at a time when he was imprisoned for his views. Today it is our duty to support those who continue his work. 🏆 The award is planned to be presented every year on the Livonian Heritage Day; the first presentation is planned for 2027, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Livonians are the indigenous people of Latvia and one of the founding nations of our state. Their language and culture must live on in future generations! More: https://t.co/g6i1KsUnNO @_vvc @universitatelv
Posts and News from Apvienotais saraksts
Political posts and news from Apvienotais saraksts among monitored Latvian public sources.
Logically structured explanation about AB & C11👌
From@IvoButkevicsIs the plan dead, long live the plan? The financially troubled national airline "airBaltic" is turning to the bankruptcy court in America... A sentence that might intuitively not seem successful for a Latvian airline, but actually is. I'll explain. First, an important disclaimer for this comment. I am assessing the situation in the reality of September 2026. I have made television segments, entire podcasts, social media videos, written comments and otherwise covered historical and not-so-distant mistakes by politicians, officials and management in the governance of "airBaltic". Now we are looking at how to play the cards we have in our hands. Whether dealt by fate or ourselves... So yesterday it became known that "airBaltic" will not implement the widely discussed interim financing plan (favor of existing bondholders, a new 257 million short-term loan, first-priority secured collateral, 25% rate, lenders - the vultures of the financial world). Instead, the national airline has begun debt restructuring under the "Chapter 11" procedure under US law. It is planned that the airline will also get 350 million euros of new money, the so-called DIP ("debtor-in-possession") financing. The rate is expected to be around 12%. IPO, DIP, WTF? The financial world likes abbreviations and other shortcuts, so let's deal with terminology. The "Chapter 11" procedure is conceptually quite similar to the legal protection process provided for in Latvian law. Namely, a company in financial difficulty goes to court, says it's in trouble, but also has a plan to deal with it. Creditors also have a say in this process, but during the legal protection period (TAP) they cannot demand bankruptcy of a specific company, which would further result in the sale of assets in parts. Both "Chapter 11" and TAP aim to preserve and save the company. Why choose the US solution? There are several reasons. First, aviation is a global business, contracts are international anyway, and accordingly Latvian norms are not decisive in the relations of the parties already now. Second, among the DIP financiers are names like "Barclays", "Morgan Stanley" and "Oaktree". It is unlikely to get the names of global players by courting them with a TAP document decorated with the seal of some Riga district court. DIP ("debtor-in-possession") provides that the company itself continues to operate, the board and council remain in place. Everything else, however, is under careful court and new creditor oversight. What next? Summing up all the above, this looks like a better option than the previous interim financing plan. The prime minister has already hinted that at least some existing bondholders have been more interested in selling "airBaltic" off piece by piece. The story is far from over. First, it is premature to rejoice that the interim financing plan had a 25% rate, while this newest one is only 12%. The "Chapter 11" procedure itself is notoriously expensive, in fact the most expensive in such comparable situations. Lawyers, consultants on top of consultants, etc. Second, DIP lenders will in any case be first in line for "airBaltic's" assets if something goes wrong. "Barclays", "Hayfin Capital Management", "Morgan Stanley", "Oaktree Capital Management" and "Strategic Value Partners" - none of them are doing charity here. Third, yes, "Chapter 11" currently does not foresee state investment, but exiting this plan will most likely require state investments to retain any say in the airline. Even if only about whether it will continue flying from Riga in the long term. For any investor who might eventually take over "airBaltic" as a result of all this, sentiment about the Latvian airline and Latvian connectivity will be quite far down the list of priorities. Fourth, those responsible like to mention the positive example of SAS with "Chapter 11". That means and guarantees nothing. Ask the US airline "Spirit" how it all just ended with "Chapter 11"...
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From@Brivibas36Today, on September 15, we celebrate International Democracy Day! Latvia's future is shaped by our choices and participation. Very soon the 15th Saeima elections will take place – don't stay aside, make your choice and participate in the elections! ℹ More information: https://t.co/AKvFLx0wXO https://t.co/Y6JK0ub6qM
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And what is the UN doing there in Crimea and China??? https://t.co/Dt51Xszn9u
From@UNDemocracy enables people to have a say in their futures. Everyone should be able to meaningfully participate in decisions that will affect their lives now, and in years to come. Tuesday is #DemocracyDay. https://t.co/U7O0NeaGaI https://t.co/U7O0NeaGaI
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@LapinsAndrejs Andrei, I must say you are right about the change in perception. However, I cannot call either Viņķele or Bogustova traitors.
From@LapinsAndrejs@CerinsAivis No Aivis, your perception has simply changed. Also Vinķele and Bogustov are the same traitors!
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Day No. 70 in the prime minister's chair - CONEXUS | Inčukalns – the gas battery of the Baltic region🔋 The Inčukalns underground gas storage is a place where Latvia's industrial history meets today's energy and security challenges. Previously, Inčukalns mainly worked as a seasonal warehouse – gas was injected in summer and withdrawn in winter. Today its role is completely different. 🚢 LNG ships in Klaipėda and Inkoo deliver large volumes of gas at once, but consumption is continuous. Inčukalns balances this difference – it receives gas, stores it, and returns it to the network when consumption rises, the next LNG shipment is delayed, or the market situation changes. That is why Inčukalns is increasingly becoming the “gas battery” of the Baltic and Finnish region. 🔋 📊 Facts about the CONEXUS Inčukalns gas storage: • Total annual gas consumption of countries connected to the storage – 40 TWh, or roughly 40 LNG cargoes. • 🇱🇹 The Lithuanian fertilizer producer ACHEMA has resumed production on a limited scale. At full capacity, the company consumed about 12 TWh of gas per year, now about 6 TWh. Products are no longer as competitive also due to the costs of the CO₂ levy introduced by the EU. • 🇱🇻 Latvia's state-held reserve in Inčukalns is 1.8 TWh, covering about 2–2.5 months of consumption. • 🇱🇹 Lithuania's reserve – 1.2 TWh. • 🇪🇪 Estonia's reserve – 1.0 TWh. • 👥 CONEXUS gas storage is used by 15 active gas traders. • 📈 If strategic changes are not made in energy policy regarding gas consumption and infrastructure use, the transmission tariff will continue to rise. Previously, about 14 TWh were transported through the system; now only 6–7 TWh, while CONEXUS costs are approximately 95% fixed and only 5% variable. From September 1, the transmission tariff will increase by 7%. • ❄️ The 2025/2026 winter gas price was significantly affected by the sudden large demand in 🇫🇮 Finland. • 🇱🇹 Lithuania is not in the common 🇫🇮🇪🇪🇱🇻 gas transmission tariff zone and applies an additional 0.8 €/MWh charge – 0.4 + 0.4 €/MWh. • 🇵🇱 Poland applies additional transmission costs of about 5 €/MWh, which practically eliminates commercial interest in selling the gas stored in Inčukalns further into Europe. • 🏗️ 22.52 TWh is the required buffer gas volume to ensure the operation of the Inčukalns storage – about 1.5 billion euros at today's prices. • ⚙️ The maximum technological capacity of Inčukalns is 24.4 TWh. • 📉 The storage fill level is currently relatively low because traders are in no hurry to buy gas for reserves – the future long-term price is around 40 €/MWh, while the current price is around 80 €/MWh. • ⛽ The Inčukalns storage fill is about 11 TWh, including about 4 TWh of safety reserve. ⚙️ During the visit, we looked at both the historical pump and compressor units, some of which were still built during Soviet times, and the new equipment. An interesting historical fact – the technological solutions of that time were supposedly based on drawings developed in the USA and legally purchased by the USSR, not obtained through industrial espionage. But Inčukalns has long been more than just a Soviet-era legacy. 💶 99.5 million euros have been invested in a seven-year modernization, including 44 million euros of EU funding. 🇺🇸 A new Solar Turbines “Titan 130” gas pumping unit has also been installed in the storage, allowing stable gas withdrawal even at lower storage fill and pressure. Previously, the system essentially lived by a rhythm – inject for several months, withdraw for several months. Now the operating mode and traders' nominations can change even within a few days. This is a completely different level of load and responsibility. 🛡️ That is why we specifically discussed the resilience of Inčukalns: electricity and communication outages, the possibility of taking over control manually, spare parts, independent communication channels, cybersecurity, sabotage risks, and drone threats. 💶 The second big issue is tariffs. If it is not economically advantageous for a trader to buy gas today, pay for transportation and storage, and sell it later, the market will not fill the storage by itself. The state's task is to prevent short-term commercial calculations from threatening our energy security in winter. 🌍 The next task is to achieve a truly unified regional gas market. 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇪🇪 Estonia, and 🇫🇮 Finland already operate in a common market zone. 🇱🇹 Lithuania has not yet fully joined it, and 🇵🇱 Polish tariffs further increase the cost of gas movement to the rest of Europe. Our interest is a system in which an LNG ship can enter Klaipėda or Inkoo, gas reaches Inčukalns without artificial tariff obstacles, and from there – to consumers throughout the region. 🇱🇻 Inčukalns is Latvia's strategic advantage. It is no longer just a “gas basement for winter”. It is critically important energy security infrastructure for the Baltic and Finland – our region's gas battery. 🔋
Humanity is like that. Wars happen from time to time. That aggression is visible throughout society. Just give a reason. Covid time, now traditional war. We also see aggression on the streets, in kicking fallen people. These days all of Twitter is full of it. Kicking and kicking. It is an expression of human nature, no more, no less. And from that accordingly follows what kind of leaders society chooses. Currently - increasingly aggressive ones, also here in the EU.
From@UldisVarnevichs@guntarsv In 2022 one idiot started a war. In 2026 another idiot. Logically, prices rise.
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At yesterday's Arctic Summit 2026 🇫🇮 press conference, answering a journalist's question about the 🇪🇺 waning support for 🇺🇦 https://t.co/CswWyrZ4aS
From@eudebates“We Are on Borrowed Time” — Europe Must Stop Normalising Russia! Latvian Prime Minister @AndrisKulbergs delivered one of the strongest warnings of the European Arctic Summit, arguing that only Ukrainians have the right to speak of war fatigue. He said Ukraine has given Europe precious time to prepare for the worst — but warned that the continent is not using that time wisely enough. Kulbergs argued that Europe is gradually allowing Russia back into normal international life through sport, culture and music, pointing specifically to motorsport and wider sporting structures. His concern is that this process risks normalising Russia while the war continues. He also warned of a dangerous gap between what European societies understand about the war and what countries on the eastern flank see directly. #AndrisKulbergs #Ukraine #Russia #Latvia #eudebates
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I wonder what will happen to Sweden when migrant benefits and progressive leftists have wrecked the social system and they no longer have funds for a free life…
Interesting, how many journalists with breathalyzers will be waiting for ministers before a government meeting or deputies before a Saeima session? It would also be fitting in the Riga City Council…
I have no problem with being asked about Uzulnieks and so on, but it is strange not to ask state-level questions while I am at the Arctic Summit and meeting with all the leaders. Yet Latvian society would deserve to know straight from me the latest information about what is happening in EU politics. There were 127 journalists from around the world at the press conference in Lapland! So the questions were not unimportant. After all, it is not KasJauns or Privātā Dzīve that calls me, but our own public broadcaster LR1.
From@ivchixKariņš also did not like it when he was asked about some irrelevant special flights rather than the great content that he supposedly accomplished on these trips. https://t.co/XcFF7L57mQ
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I have no problem being asked about Uzulnieks etc., but not asking state-level questions while I am at Arctic Summit and meeting with all the leaders is strange, yet 🇱🇻 society would deserve to know directly the latest information about what is happening in 🇪🇺 politics. The press conference had 127‼️ journalists from around the world in Lapland! So, the questions were not unimportant. It's not KasJauns or PrivātāDzīve that calls me, but our own public media LR1.
From@insomniaanna@AndrisKulbergs @LRZinas I wonder what security a country can count on when those at the wheel like to drink? That is an important topic. A peculiar indignation and justification when questioned on this topic. I agree with the opinion that politicians need alcohol and other substance tests every day before work.
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From@eudebatesFamily Photo: European Leaders Unite in Rovaniemi as Arctic Security Takes Centre Stage! European leaders gathered in Rovaniemi, Finland, for the official family photo of the European Arctic Summit. The symbolic moment brings together leaders at a time when the Arctic is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most strategically important regions. Security in the High North, Russia’s military presence, climate change, new shipping routes, critical minerals and Europe’s ability to strengthen its Arctic capabilities are all moving higher on the political agenda. The family photo captures a clear message from Rovaniemi: Europe is looking north — and the Arctic is becoming central to its security, economy and geopolitical future. #Arctic #EuropeanUnion #Rovaniemi #eudebates
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I have no problem with being asked about Uzulnieks etc., but not asking state-level questions while I am at the Arctic Summit and meeting with all the leaders is strange. However, the Latvian society would deserve to know directly the latest information on what is happening in EU politics. There were 127 journalists from all over the world at the press conference in Lapland! So the questions were not unimportant. It's not KasJauns or PrivātāDzīve that calls me, but our own public media LR1. Strange.
From@Lato_LapsaJournalists ask the gentleman wrong questions. https://t.co/t9pqbNTd1Q
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I have no problem with them asking about Uzulnieks etc., but not asking state-level questions while I am at the Arctic Summit and meeting with all the leaders is odd, yet 🇱🇻 society deserves to know directly the latest information about what is happening in 🇪🇺 politics. There were 127‼️ journalists from all over the world at the press conference in Lapland! So the questions were not unimportant. It's not KasJauns or PrivātāDzīve calling me, but our own public broadcaster LR1.
From@viuksmp@AndrisKulbergs @LRZinas Again, this comment was unnecessary. @poznaks said very correctly - before answering on social media, check up to 10 times.
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@vitaamiins @LRZinas You can ask, no problem, but why not use the moment to also deliver direct news, because Arctic Summit, where I am right now, which is significant for Latvia?
From@vitaamiins@AndrisKulbergs @LRZinas again journalists don't ask the questions the prime minister wants :)
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This morning at 7:00 I gave an interview to @LRZinas while being in Lapland at the Arctic Summit, an EU leaders' event. It surprises me that instead of the Latvian public learning about the decisions we are making to strengthen security against Russian threats, my 1:1 discussions with German Chancellor Merz about the EU's new 7-year budget, about the common agreement of Baltic leaders to solve the RailBaltica issue, about Iceland's EU referendum or the general EU position in the Arctic in the fight for natural resources and the new northern sea transport corridor... all that journalists are interested in is Uzulnieks being caught drunk, whether ministers use drugs, and why I hold a glass of beer at a basketball game... I believe you can do better 😉
From@LRZinas@ZZS_ the so far dismissive attitude on the issues of addictions among the union's politicians is ZZS's own problem and the decision of its voters, said Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) on the #Labrīt show. At the same time, he noted that alcoholism, as an addiction, must be treated. Kulbergs will not look for a new welfare minister – these duties will be performed by Agriculture Minister Uldis Augulis (ZZS).
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Solemn ceremony of judges' oath at Riga Castle 👩🏼⚖️ This year is special, because in no other year have there been so many solemn promises and oath ceremonies for judges. The foundation of a democratic state is an independent, professional and fair judiciary that can work flawlessly even in the most complex circumstances. Every judge's decision strengthens or weakens public trust in the state. A judge's mandate comes with great responsibility – to protect the rule of law, justice and the foundations of a democratic state. Today, the judges took the oath to President Edgars Rinkēvičs: ⚖️ Māra Bileskalne – judge of Riga City Court; ⚖️ Ieva Strautmane-Zālīte – judge of Riga City Court; ⚖️ Vita Vucina – judge of Riga District Court; ⚖️ Santa Savina – judge of Administrative District Court. I wish the new judges courage, wisdom and an unwavering sense of justice in fulfilling this nationally significant duty! Photo: Chancery of the President
@_emma_karkls_ Those are salary taxes to the State Revenue Service. You can check in the company's financial statements - they generally haven't paid any other taxes for years, or ever, as far as I remember.
From@_emma_karkls_@guntarsv Mostly.......V Budget....probably again salary taxes also are
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Ukraine's path to the European Union is impossible without independent and strong anti-corruption institutions. 🇺🇦🇪🇺 In Kyiv, we discussed the legislature's responsibility in this process with deputies of the Committee on Legal Policy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The decisions that must strengthen the independence of anti-corruption institutions, their ability to investigate high-level corruption and recover criminally acquired assets begin directly with the legislature. Meanwhile, representatives of organizations DEJURE, AntAC and Transparency International Ukraine provided an open insight and assessment of the real situation, the progress of reforms implemented so far and the necessary improvements. A strong civil society is essential for decisions to be transparent and for politicians to be held accountable. Latvia is ready to share both its EU integration experience and the lessons we are still learning in strengthening corruption prevention, investigation, whistleblower protection and recovery of criminally acquired assets. Ukraine's European integration is a common project. It must be based on an independent, effective and resilient justice and anti-corruption system. 🇱🇻🇺🇦🇪🇺