Latvian Political Monitor

Why has fuel returned above 2 euros per liter and oil above 100 dollars per barrel again? Hormuz again. Saudi Arabia has an oil pipeline that transports about 5% of global oil to the Red Sea, thus partially bypassing the problematic Strait of Hormuz. But the Houthis (Iran's allies) are launching drones and otherwise attacking Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure. The pipeline is closed these days until 'further notice'. Analysts predicted this scenario long ago.

Today in Kyiv, together with Ukraine's Minister of Justice Denys Maslov, we signed a cooperation memorandum between the Latvian and Ukrainian Ministries of Justice. 🇱🇻🇺🇦 Ukraine's path to the European Union currently largely leads through rule-of-law and justice reforms. Latvia is not only a political supporter in this process but a practical partner, sharing its experience and expert knowledge where they can help Ukraine the most. Our two countries' justice institutions already have good cooperation experience. Now we will deepen it precisely in implementing reforms needed for European Union integration, strengthening the rule of law, digitalisation, and the fight against corruption. Cooperation is mutual. Ukraine gives us unique experience in ensuring the work of courts and justice institutions under war and crisis conditions. We must learn from it, also strengthening Latvia's resilience. 🤝 And there is another common task on which there can be no compromise: Russia must answer for its aggression and the international crimes committed. Latvia will stand with Ukraine until the day justice prevails! 🇱🇻🇺🇦

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. 🇱🇻🇺🇦

While in Ukraine, we had the opportunity to participate in the opening of the child protection and support center 'PANDA'. 🇺🇦 Most of all, what stayed with me from this visit was the photo exhibition showing mothers holding phones with photos of their children. A simple way that tells very heavy stories. At the PANDA center, children affected by war and violence will be able to receive legal, psychological, social, and medical help in one place. Being here, we share Latvia's experience with great joy and at the same time learn from Ukraine, so that each of us can provide the fastest, gentlest, and most understandable help possible for children in our own country. 🤝 It is important not only to achieve the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia, but also to think about what happens afterwards. So that the child does not remain alone with what they have experienced, and so that all involved specialists and institutions can act together, react quickly, and provide the child with exactly the help they need. Thank you to Ukraine's Minister of Justice Denys Maliuska, the PANDA center team, and the people of Ukraine for the opportunity to be present at this significant moment.

In Latvian regions, high-level companies operate successfully, and their products are known far beyond our country's borders. We can be proud of municipalities that are able to attract such investments. #development #Liepaja #jensenmetal

In Latvia, bureaucratic requirements must be reduced so that our working entrepreneurs can compete with companies from other countries, earn higher incomes, and thus also pay more in taxes. I received another confirmation of this when meeting with entrepreneurs at the Tosmare Shipbuilding and Repair Plant https://t.co/9KXJwZx3nX

✔️ Preparation for the next EU funds planning period; ✔️ Potential change to the municipal financial equalization system. On these and other important issues, a valuable conversation with Liepāja city council leadership, heads of structural units, and experts. #municipalities #Kurzeme #Liepāja https://t.co/8EUKvhAdTS

@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😏

@nezinu46 @AndrisKulbergs @ivchix In the ministries work about 3500 people, more precisely 3700. The salary budget is around 140 million per year, average gross salary 2.5k.

Although the FM working group has not yet issued any negative opinion on the planned state administration ICT procurements, as a result of its work, expenses of 21.2 million euros have already been prevented. Upon receiving the working group's information requests, some applications for permission to conduct procurements have been withdrawn https://t.co/18cEN9QPTn

To clarify. The 1.9 billion is the compensation amount that includes defense (soldiers, national guards), as well as internal affairs (police, border guard, State Fire and Rescue Service), justice, and part of health (e.g., Emergency Medical Service). About 60% of this amount goes to security and order sectors, not to bureaucrats in offices. There are about 12 thousand bureaucrats.

@ivchix Actually, I said that the entire state apparatus, 3500 employees together, costs €2 billion, not savings, pointing out that it is not a large sum compared to state procurement and other cost items.

Keynote speech at Riga Conference 2026. A significant event for the development of the military industry https://t.co/3ql1LFUcAX

We had a great meeting with @Kyrylo_Budanov in Riga. Next step in co-operation in military, creating first military industry's 🇺🇦&🇱🇻 companies in Latvia, support in UKR grain export and control of 🇷🇺 grain being mixed with stolen 🇺🇦 grain from occupied areas, 🇱🇻 help in energy heat and electricity equipment for the winter season and a dinner to remeber in famous @Motormuzejs built by my father and his team of oldtimer club

@ChiuljuPussala @realNepareizais Introduce communism. A fair price is determined by decree, and there is no fuel. Will you give away your property for half price? Or will you still try to earn it yourself?

Is this acceptable to anyone from the 'normal world'? #StopPutin #StopWar

@realNepareizais It is stupid to imagine that the government can set fuel prices. But who is more stupid? A politician who promises it, or a voter who believes it?🤔