From@yarotrofIf you want to measure Russian success in the war against Ukraine, consider that Russia currently occupies a smaller portion of Ukraine than it did this time in 2022.
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From@oana_toiuI visited the Freedom Monument in Riga, inaugurated in 1935 under the motto “Shines like a star”, built entirely from citizens' donations. I laid flowers, together with Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, at the Freedom Monument, in memory of those who fell for Latvia's independence. Afterwards, I visited the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, which presents documents and testimonies from the 1940s–1991, illustrating two totalitarian regimes, the suffering they caused, and the resistance they never managed to extinguish. Romanians know this history from within. That is why our countries understand, without needing to explain to each other, what is at stake today.
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☎️ A phone call with Nepal’s Foreign Minister H.E. @shisir Khanal to express condolences on the tragic loss of lives in flooding in Nepal, and to discuss steps to help Latvian survivors and victims of the tragedy. I’m grateful for all efforts of Nepal’s services to assist us.
@UlvisSilins I also wish ZZS 4.1 instead of 2%, the votes will redistribute more nicely.
From@UlvisSilinsI think both have honestly earned 4.8%, that would be a beautiful result :))
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From@atis_svinkaIceland decides today whether to restart negotiations on joining the European Union. It is important to understand that this is not yet a vote on Iceland's membership in the EU. If negotiations are restarted and concluded, Icelanders will have to vote again on the final decision. The biggest concerns in Icelandic society are about fisheries, natural resources and national sovereignty. On the other hand, in favor of restarting negotiations speak security, economic stability and the opportunity to participate in the adoption of those European rules that Iceland already largely follows. Does the geopolitical situation force Europe to again think of the European Union as a political and security union, not just a common market. Iceland's accession would strengthen both the security of Europe's northern region and the European Union itself. It would also be a positive signal for the broader EU enlargement process with Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova. I hope Iceland will choose to continue negotiations today. For a united, stronger and safer Europe!
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From@kukseriks@EdmundsJurevics Little buddy, what is political violence? Is it the one that New Unity has carried out against the Latvian state and the people, ever since it got even the slightest say? Then I understand...
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(2/2)🧵 Wait, stop. Do you consider us 'retards'? 107 thousand is OK, but less than 200 TUA per year, which is 0.15%, is a national security risk? The fact that we are full of poor 'blacks' about whom nobody in this country knows when they have to leave, when they arrived, etc. — that of course is different. But checking 150 people — that is a national security risk? Really? But we don't end there. Like in a good French restaurant, the best is always reserved for dessert. ☝🏻For health, benefits and legal support of third-country nationals we currently spend 100 million per year!!! (See image.) Wait, that can't be — we are against money that rich people want to invest here (not from Russia or Belarus), but at the same time we spend 100 million a year on existing third-country nationals? That can't be, right? But it can. It can be… As they say, away with golden visas and rich people, we stick with the poor and 'boltists'... And today Siliņa in all seriousness asked this question to Smiltēns…😳
From@Chapis(1/2)🧵 Pre-election agitation time is an interesting time, and I was greatly surprised when Mrs. Siliņa today in the debate asked Mr. Smiltēns a question about "golden visas". Which in essence is a glorified name for the temporary residence permit that has already been operating in one way or another since 2011. 🤦♂️🤦♂️ And here I would like to touch a bit on this public debate, and I think it's worth looking at this issue in essence. Let's start with what the opponents say. Both Edvīns Šnore and deputy Agnese Krasta, and even Edvīns Inkēns have been very critical about this issue in public space. In their opinion, it was a very unsuccessful program that is a threat to Latvia's security and society as a whole. Okay. Let's look at the data. A brief history. The TUA (temporary residence permit) started operating on 1 July 2010. Until Russia's attack on Ukraine (24 February 2022), the investor TUA program had attracted approximately 1.59 billion euros in Latvia. Methodologies vary, but conservatively you can multiply this number by 1.5 — direct taxes, services, etc., i.e., what additionally came into the economy. Most of the money came in 2010–2014 while the threshold for real estate was low. After the increase in requirements in 2014 (up to €250,000 for property) the flow dropped dramatically. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the program has practically completely stopped (completely for Russian and Belarusian citizens). And good that — I have no claims against that. If we talk about recent years, I will quote a letter from the Latvian Real Estate Transactions Association addressed to the president: "We draw your attention that the current Immigration Law provides the possibility for citizens of third countries (except Russian and Belarusian citizens) to receive a residence permit based on the acquisition of real estate. In our opinion, this contributes to the real estate market, as transactions are made in the expensive property segment (from €250,000). From each transaction a state fee is also paid in the land register (1.5% of €250,000 is €3,750). Additionally, each investor pays 5% of the purchase price for granting the residence right, which is at least €12,500. Such foreign investments in real estate also create additional demand for services of local companies, namely, various engineers, construction, design, interior design, carpentry, metalworking and other craftsmen's work, as well as increase demand for construction materials, interior and locally produced goods." "…in order to receive the first temporary residence permit, in 2025 49 payments were made with a total amount of €750,054.25 (for transactions of approximately €15 million). For receiving repeated temporary residence permits for previously purchased real estate or for registering them (as of 12 October 2025 for 2025) within the same program, 89 payments were made with a total amount of €375,000." So 49 new applications and 89 extensions!!! In context, that's about 1/2 of the number of apartments sold in a Bonava project in Pierīga. There are also opponents who believe that this will affect apartment prices, i.e., apartments will become more expensive and less accessible to local buyers. Currently Riga has by far the lowest real estate prices in the Baltics. And when I say "by far", that's an understatement. In the secondary market in Riga's micro-districts, prices are often about 2–2.5 times lower than in Vilnius and about half lower than in Tallinn. On the other hand, according to Global Property Guide 2026 data. Tallinn ~3,100, Vilnius ~3,060, Riga ~2,650.. Obviously, there is absolutely zero correlation with TUA, but a huge connection with Vilnius's fintech ecosystem and general economic activity in the capitals of our neighboring countries. I won't even mention the premium segment, it is said that in Vilnius it has already reached ~€7,000 per square meter. But let's continue about security. Personally, I follow the Donbrava investigative commission very actively. According to his words (see image), ~107 thousand third-country citizens currently reside in Latvia.
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(1/2)🧵 Pre-election agitation time is an interesting time, and I was greatly surprised when Mrs. Siliņa today in the debate asked Mr. Smiltēns a question about "golden visas". Which in essence is a glorified name for the temporary residence permit that has already been operating in one way or another since 2011. 🤦♂️🤦♂️ And here I would like to touch a bit on this public debate, and I think it's worth looking at this issue in essence. Let's start with what the opponents say. Both Edvīns Šnore and deputy Agnese Krasta, and even Edvīns Inkēns have been very critical about this issue in public space. In their opinion, it was a very unsuccessful program that is a threat to Latvia's security and society as a whole. Okay. Let's look at the data. A brief history. The TUA (temporary residence permit) started operating on 1 July 2010. Until Russia's attack on Ukraine (24 February 2022), the investor TUA program had attracted approximately 1.59 billion euros in Latvia. Methodologies vary, but conservatively you can multiply this number by 1.5 — direct taxes, services, etc., i.e., what additionally came into the economy. Most of the money came in 2010–2014 while the threshold for real estate was low. After the increase in requirements in 2014 (up to €250,000 for property) the flow dropped dramatically. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the program has practically completely stopped (completely for Russian and Belarusian citizens). And good that — I have no claims against that. If we talk about recent years, I will quote a letter from the Latvian Real Estate Transactions Association addressed to the president: "We draw your attention that the current Immigration Law provides the possibility for citizens of third countries (except Russian and Belarusian citizens) to receive a residence permit based on the acquisition of real estate. In our opinion, this contributes to the real estate market, as transactions are made in the expensive property segment (from €250,000). From each transaction a state fee is also paid in the land register (1.5% of €250,000 is €3,750). Additionally, each investor pays 5% of the purchase price for granting the residence right, which is at least €12,500. Such foreign investments in real estate also create additional demand for services of local companies, namely, various engineers, construction, design, interior design, carpentry, metalworking and other craftsmen's work, as well as increase demand for construction materials, interior and locally produced goods." "…in order to receive the first temporary residence permit, in 2025 49 payments were made with a total amount of €750,054.25 (for transactions of approximately €15 million). For receiving repeated temporary residence permits for previously purchased real estate or for registering them (as of 12 October 2025 for 2025) within the same program, 89 payments were made with a total amount of €375,000." So 49 new applications and 89 extensions!!! In context, that's about 1/2 of the number of apartments sold in a Bonava project in Pierīga. There are also opponents who believe that this will affect apartment prices, i.e., apartments will become more expensive and less accessible to local buyers. Currently Riga has by far the lowest real estate prices in the Baltics. And when I say "by far", that's an understatement. In the secondary market in Riga's micro-districts, prices are often about 2–2.5 times lower than in Vilnius and about half lower than in Tallinn. On the other hand, according to Global Property Guide 2026 data. Tallinn ~3,100, Vilnius ~3,060, Riga ~2,650.. Obviously, there is absolutely zero correlation with TUA, but a huge connection with Vilnius's fintech ecosystem and general economic activity in the capitals of our neighboring countries. I won't even mention the premium segment, it is said that in Vilnius it has already reached ~€7,000 per square meter. But let's continue about security. Personally, I follow the Donbrava investigative commission very actively. According to his words (see image), ~107 thousand third-country citizens currently reside in Latvia.
From@andrii_sybihaToday, Ukraine honours the memory of its defenders who gave their lives for our independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. August 29 carries the painful memory of the 2014 Battle of Ilovaisk. It is a day to remember all Ukrainian warriors who have fallen in the line of duty — for our right to be free, to determine our own future, and to exist as a sovereign nation. Honouring our fallen defenders is an integral part of almost every visit by foreign leaders and officials to Ukraine. This matters deeply. Those who come here must see both our strength and the high price our people have paid for freedom. This remembrance also sends a clear message to the world: it serves as a reminder of who started this war, who the aggressor is, and why peace must bring justice and accountability, rather than rewarding Russia for its aggression. We remember every defender we have lost. And we owe it to them to ensure that Ukraine remains free, sovereign, and strong.
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From@partijaMMNAinars Mielavs about “sleepers” in the state administration. Many employees in the state administration are particularly “overslept” in the the public sector. MMN's planned general cleaning and repeal of the civil service law will wake everyone up! https://t.co/kH9QVsjO2c
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147 thousand euros. The ministry denies that the Bridge federation led by an NA member would have special privileges.
From@sanchopans82One can jump from one party to another in search of a better life, but I have already made my choice in October. New people, new ideas, and the opportunity to show oneself as loyal people to one's land… In October I am for list number 12. For family, nation and state.🇱🇻 https://t.co/kqSVnnNUJ0
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From@MurnieksA@Lato_Lapsa Meanwhile, opponents of this idea get two trump cards in one bottle: “the people already rejected them!” and “look what kind of dimwits stand behind them!”
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From@andrislov@ViktorsValainis, today is against wasting people's money on airBaltic. Good. But people are not blind. In the LMT and Tet deal, the talk is about hundreds of millions. About JP Morgan and a whole orchestra of consultants, about 23 mysterious “investors” who cannot be named, about Latvenergo as a wallet. And Prime Minister @AndrisKulbergs still thinks the deal is not transparent. A state that for years could not properly manage what it already owned now wants to buy more. Article 318. Abuse of official position, if greed is also involved, then the ice under Valainis becomes even thinner.
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From@nezobisWe took a big loan: done! 🤣 And then to call part of the loan a payment. JV voters are peeing hot with delight, but when the plebs take 'payments' from non-bank lenders enabled by Latvian politicians, that's condemnable, but if JV takes a loan on behalf of all Latvia - great success! Ahujelmanis, when he grabbed loans from the state treasury on behalf of Ogre municipality, also didn't call them loans but 'attracting financing'. 😀
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@maijaroze_ @pucej @J_Abols The quota problem is not how many, but how that money is spent.
From@maijaroze_@attistibai @pucej @J_Abols How much money there is - that's how much can be spent. It is unfair to spend taxpayers' money on treating bums and third-country citizens. Your health program says nothing about introducing mandatory health insurance.
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In Bartaševič's criminal case, the court will also hear a Bulgarian citizen https://t.co/pdk6aPjhLT
The “airBaltic” law positions the coalition – ZZS votes “against” the squandering of people's money - https://t.co/pSEbdG00j4 via @nralv
🤝✊ @partijaMMN https://t.co/pfHhRvMVJt
From@AlvisHermanis1After the last corner poll, ratings surprisingly differed from Kaktiņa's poll. But there is no reason to doubt their credibility either. The situation changes from day to day, as can be seen. Kaktiņa's latest poll served as a pretext to kick MMN out of all state media and Delfi debates, because, look, it's below 2%. We change the rules. From now on, only parties that have gathered at least 60% in the latest ratings may be admitted to the debates. Just because we want to.
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If any of my X followers didn't know yet, I am a 'party member' from @partijaMMN. One of our main goals is to establish individual responsibility in state administration and, if lucky, also in life. Dita Grīnberga, the leader of the Ropaži district dance collective 'Rotā', is a wonderful example - she is not only responsible for her dancers, but also a true authority! Meeting me at the Kauguri festival, she quickly gathered her scattered dancers and asked to take a photo with me. No one asked why. If Dita asks, then she is a good person. 😃 October 3, list No.2. Last chance to drive out the bloated state administration and ensure that we have the opportunity to vote for specific people, not party lists!