Latvian Political Monitor

See you in Cēsis at @FestivalsLAMPA this Friday and Saturday!

Today at the Riga City Council, alongside daily work, we will also see the start of the opposition's pre-election campaign. Stepaņenko, Šlesers and Rosļikovs' parties demand my resignation. Notably, the same surnames will also appear on the election lists. Apparently, the work at the council has tired them out and they want to go to the Saeima. Meanwhile, we will continue what we have started: we will restore infrastructure, repair bridges, improve schools, build new ones, work on affordable housing and continue to support Ukraine, no matter how much part of the opposition dislikes it. Good luck to everyone today! I hope your day will be less tiring than ours, listening to the opposition's passionate speeches.

US strikes Iran after attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz

Of course, traffic rules must be followed. But no human-made system is foolproof and accidents will always happen. And yet that does not justify the need to control absolutely everything. This is a question of political philosophy – where to draw the line between complete, privacy-protected freedom and public control in the name of safety. Put on a GoPro camera so others are sure you don’t beat your wife. And don’t switch it off during naps either.

The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to provisionally lift the disqualification of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) is unacceptable. Opening the gates of hell and inviting athletes and supporters of the aggressor state to the Olympics under the bloody murderer's flag is a betrayal of humanity and the principles of fair play. https://t.co/II7XRUP4bb

We categorically do not support and condemn the IOC's step! While Russia continues its brutal and unprovoked war against Ukraine, its participation in the international sports arena must not be restored! Such an approach actually supports the aggressor's actions in Ukraine, and Latvia cannot accept it. @IZM_gov_lv https://t.co/oJ68gqRK3A

@LV_visiem @kasparskru If there is an opportunity, we will sort this out👍👏🏽

Important to meet with the French Ambassador to Latvia, Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, @FrancijaLatvija. I thank France for the Rafale mission at Lielvārde and for its essential contribution to Latvia's security. I particularly appreciate the recognition expressed by the French side for the improvements I have implemented in crisis management following the drone incidents, notably the enhancement of the cell broadcast alert system. As chair of the Saeima's European Affairs Committee, it is essential for me to continue close cooperation in the areas of security, the defense industry, and building a stronger Europe. 🇱🇻🇫🇷 Photo: Saeima

Important to meet with France's ambassador to Latvia Manuel Lafont Rapnouil @FrancijaLatvija. Thank France for the Rafale mission in Lielvārde and the significant contribution to Latvia's security. I especially appreciate France's recognition of the crisis management improvements I introduced after the improvement of the cell broadcast notification system and the drone incidents. As chair of the Saeima European Affairs Committee, it is important for me to continue close cooperation in security, the defense industry and building a stronger Europe. 🇱🇻🇫🇷 Photo: Saeima

🇱🇻 There are people who don’t talk about love for Latvia — they do it! Inese Zagorska is one of them. So don’t fall for inaccurate information. A simple human error occurred while filling in the candidate questionnaire at the CEC. She has never cooperated with the USSR, the Latvian SSR, or foreign state security, intelligence, or counterintelligence services. We have already approached the CEC to correct this error. We have also asked the media to correct what was published. Rest assured, there are no such people in our United List team, but there are convinced Latvian patriots! 🇱🇻 You should know important facts about Inese: a pianist who in 2011 created the “White Grand Piano” in Sigulda — one of the first professional art concert halls outside Riga. Artistic director and board member of the Cēsis Concert Hall, chairwoman of the board of the Latvian National Music Council. A person thanks to whom professional art in all its forms is available not only in the capital but also in Vidzeme. She herself puts it simply: “Why have we built concert halls all over Latvia? Why are they filled with listeners? That proves our people’s deep intelligence, understanding of culture, and love of music and art. It is a strong foundation for great things, for a wise and Latvian future.” Inese has proven that Latvia does not end at the Riga border. Now she is ready to carry this conviction into the Saeima — on the United List team in Vidzeme. I am proud that she is on our team. On 3 October Vidzeme will have something to vote for. 🇱🇻 #ApvienotaisSaraksts #Vidzeme #Saeima2026

This week in Ankara the fate of NATO and Latvia's security will again be decided. A couple of days ago I drove up to the Terehova border crossing. Such a menacing silence and emptiness all around. If the New York Times newspaper (thoroughly anti-Trump) today publishes an article “This is not the way to save NATO”, which unequivocally blames European governments, then that is not a good sign at all. For example, the former US envoy to the alliance compares it to a potluck where Europeans arrived with paper plates holding a few chips, while Americans provide the meat and steaks. For example, during the US military action against Iran, Europeans denied it their airfields and thus also jeopardized US military aid to Ukraine. It's funny that Latvian government media still use humiliating rhetoric about the American president every day and thereby endanger and undermine their own and our families' security. It seems they do not understand cause and effect. Terehova is very close and the American reaction because of them may not be as fast as it should be. In Ankara the question Trump asked Rutte some time ago will be relevant again and there is still no sensible answer: “Okay, but please tell me – what do Americans need NATO for?”

💬 After meeting with the Prison Administration leadership and visiting prisons, I have become convinced that security cannot be ensured only with stricter rules. A modern framework is needed to help reduce violence and criminal influence, while preserving a person's ability to maintain contact with their family. This is exactly the balance provided by the amendments supported by the government. ➡️ The bill will next be forwarded for consideration in the Saeima.