Those echelons, iron and night, / Where the blood of the people flows, / Where in every wagon at night / So many of us already break. / Do you still hear through black smoke, / How the fathers' land calls, / Where willows of mourning and birches / And stars fall so many? / / Elza Ķezbere “The Shuttered Echelons” / / 85 years ago, in the night of 14 June 1941, 15,443 residents of Latvia were subjected to repression and deported to lifelong exile. Lives were broken, destinies destroyed. All this only because these people belonged to their country, their nation and their values. / / Today and always we remember both those who did not return from exile and those who survived, carrying heavy memories and suffering with them all their lives. Their fates remind us how fragile freedom is and how important it is to protect human dignity, justice and democratic values. / / Eternal memory to all the deported and perished.
Latest posts
16877From@RaivisZeltitsSimply restricting immigration is not enough. A targeted return process must be activated. Let's speak openly - @tv24_lv https://t.co/FsuRA8NyKL
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Mrs. Ostrovska! I will reply only out of respect, because you were once a respected expert with critical thinking. I have been the Mayor of Riga for 11 months. On Riga's properties, https://t.co/ZnQtYTKuRI. NA has been responsible for the Central Market for 6 years. And most importantly! You should write not 'vairāk kā' but 'vairāk nekā'!
From@front_ukrainian❗️Zelenskyy meets with Latvia’s new Defence Minister Raivis Mēlniņš. The sides discussed the implementation of the Drone Deal signed this week, possibilities for financing joint projects under SAFE, and cooperation within the EU, NATO, and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). https://t.co/1w8EbOSNmN
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From@RitvarsJansons1We have achieved that this year on 14 June at 13:00 in Riga, at Matīsa Cemetery, we will gather at the restored memorial cross in memory of the victims of the political repressions of the communist occupation regime who were killed without trial on 27–29 June 1941 at Riga Central Prison and who died in detention in 1940–1941. https://t.co/x02a45APRU
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Another work week has passed. I continue the report on what has been done in the position of Minister of Finance. https://t.co/PGxwh1PIlM
NO TO IMMIGRATION
From@ZelenskyyUaI held a meeting with Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis, who is visiting Ukraine on his first trip abroad since taking office. We discussed the implementation of the Drone Deal signed between our countries this week. Through this format, in particular, we will be able to share with Latvia our expertise in air defense. Ukraine is always ready to help friends who have stood with us since the very beginning of Russia's aggression. And, importantly, we share the same understanding: security challenges arise because Russia refuses to end its war through diplomacy. We also discussed opportunities to finance joint projects under SAFE and cooperation within the European Union, NATO, and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). I thank Latvia and all the Latvian people for their support!
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Yesterday in the Saeima, the old 'golden visa' coalition emerged: LPV, ZZS, AS and JV. The amendments to the Immigration Law will provide that temporary residence permits will be granted to citizens of third countries for up to five years if an agreement has been concluded and a transfer of at least 150,000 euros has been made for making an investment for at least 5 years in a state-established alternative investment fund manager, and 10,000 euros have been paid to the state budget. If European countries, based on data, refuse to issue 'golden visas', then the coalition led by A. Šlesers is going back to the past that we once had. This was a proposal promoted by @AndrisKulbergs.
📍Need to achieve targeted support for EU Eastern border regions; 📍Restoring economic development as a priority; 📍Energy as a precondition for resilience, Discussions on these and other important issues at ECOFIN meetings yesterday and today #drošība #ekonomika https://t.co/k8zV2Xw6Jy
From@janisdombravaThe State Agency for Provision (NVA) needs a caring owner's approach. NVA maintains more than 500 properties that belong to the internal affairs services. From the visited facilities, it can be observed that some are well maintained, while others have lacked an owner's approach to sort out obvious matters. There has also been a long-standing lack of political support so that services do not have to operate in a degraded work environment, but there has been support to implement expensive, non-priority projects. Time is short, but the approach will have to change.
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From@LLatviesiemRe:Baltica is discrediting me for the third time in a month and a half. It works off its sponsors' money, but in the meantime, we are moving forward, #LatvijaLatviešiem 💪🏻🇱🇻 https://t.co/dz1cWcxomy
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Science will certainly say “thank you.” I just want to remind — no benefit has ever arisen without a research base. Human progress is driven by knowledge about the most diverse questions — not only about what seems important to one person or, conversely, unimportant. https://t.co/s59fKCoCGf
From@AndrisKulbergs@bizenajs_V2 I can't stand these wasteful, pointless research projects... I think it annoys not only me but the whole society. I asked the office to consider a solution to impose a moratorium, so that the usefulness of all research is assessed. That will take resources and time, but better that than waste.
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They often tell me that concerns about migration are a 'stereotype'. But PVD inspections have established facts: >70% of catering companies where migrants work have hygiene violations, and 30% of them must be closed immediately! Safety is also food hygiene and the state language. Incomers must respect our laws!
From@janisdombravaAfter visiting Mucenieki, the responsible authorities have realized that procedures must be changed so that we don't accumulate men of African and Asian origin who have illegally crossed our external border. Video: LR1, Krustpunktā https://t.co/qRmPIrHI3G
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From@janisdombravaAfter visiting Mucenieki, the responsible authorities have realized that procedures need to be changed so that men of African and Asian origin who have illegally crossed our external border do not accumulate here. Video: LR1, Krustpunktā https://t.co/qRmPIrHI3G
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From@Jekaba11Saeima supports creation of the State Sports Fund for more effective sports financing
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Currently, we increasingly and loudly hear various opinions about the need for Europe to start a dialogue with Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. We also discussed this this week in Tallinn at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the parliaments of the Baltic states and Turkey. We were united that Russia is the main long-term threat to #NATO and Euro-Atlantic security. We, the Baltic states, know from historical experience that Russia understands only brute force. And that is the answer to all discussions about starting a dialogue with the aggressor state. We must actively build up Europe's military muscles. Ukraine does this excellently. For example, by implementing its “sanctions” (in the form of drone attacks) against Russia's oil and military industry.
@Apvienotais_ It hasn't even been reviewed in the first reading yet.
From@Apvienotais_✅ Finally done: 10% tax without bureaucracy and paperwork! What changes? 🔹 No registration with the SRS - provide services without registering economic activity. 🔹 No declarations - forget about complex forms and reports. 🔹 The bank does everything - using a business account, the bank automatically withholds 10% tax and sends it to the state. This is a long-awaited step to reduce the administrative burden and allow people to work legally, without unnecessary stress. If annual turnover does not exceed €25,000, an individual no longer has to do anything - just do their work! We promised to simplify the system, and we have done it. Less paperwork, more time for what really matters. #APVIENOTAISSARAKSTS #Done #10Percent #Simple #NoBureaucracy
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With responsibility and confidence in Latvia's future, a new work season in the Saeima has begun. Returning to the Saeima, my goal remains unchanged - to work for the well-being and security of Latvia's people. That has always been my principle and the criterion by which I evaluate my decisions. I will work in the European Affairs Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee, applying my experience to strengthen Latvia's growth, security, and competitiveness. Latvia's people and our country's future will continue to be my main priority. 📸 Photo: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima