What is happening with the 'Rail Baltica' project, what will it require from the budget next year and in the coming years? And is the tension between government coalition partners being reduced? We grill Transport Minister Atis Švinka (P). https://t.co/wGQljsrXXh
From@tv24_lv📺 Tonight at 5:03 PM live – @presesklubs! We will talk about security, economy, health, and the well-being of people – topics that concern everyone. 🎤 In the studio tonight: ▪️ Malvīne Strazdiņa, lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, @universitatelv; ▪️ Roberts Feders, cardiologist, head of Dr. Feders' Germany-Latvia Cardiology Center, lecturer at @RSUinfo; ▪️ @JanisVitenbergs, deputy chair of the 14th Saeima Economic Commission @VL_TBLNNK, Minister of Transport (2022-2023), Minister of Economics (2021-2022). 👉🏻 Watch the live broadcast and join the discussion!
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Does this mean that an economically pragmatic budget cannot be created, because the interests of parties as specific interest groups clash, and serving them is more important than the common good of society? A healthy budget can be drawn up either in a presidential state or in a parliamentary democracy where the coalition consists of one or two parties. But that is impossible if the coalition consists of three party alliances, each made up of three or four smaller parties. New Unity consists of six, ZZS of five parties, only Progressives are unitary, but their ideology - neo-Marxism - is incompatible with Latvia's national interests and security. If the budget does not allocate a fourteen million gift to cover Ventspils port debts, then Lembergs, whose party 'For Latvia and Ventspils' holds three golden votes in the coalition, can disrupt the adoption of any budget. But such interests are shared by all involved. That is why the prime minister, if he wants to stay in power, navigates between the financial interests of parties. This is the Uzbek stability model, where the state budget is divided among clans controlling various ministries, to which we have given party names. Behind the scenes, the budget is created by only a few people. Therefore, without changing the election and party laws, with the aim of breaking the existing parliamentary model, nothing can be changed.
We must be unwavering in our support for 🇺🇦. In the joint statement of the chairs of the foreign affairs committees of European parliaments, we emphasize that a just, lasting peace is not possible by conceding to the aggressor. It must be based on international law, respecting 🇺🇦's territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty. https://t.co/gNGT7XyCIj
We, Speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States, are united that any talks must begin with an immediate ceasefire. Europe must stand united and resolute, ensuring that peace honours Ukraine's courage and is just and long-lasting. 🇱🇻🇱🇹🇪🇪🇺🇦 https://t.co/Lf151mYv5G
From@attistibai“The main thing is not that we have found money for weapons, because there is far too little of that money. The most important thing is that we have put on track a common approach to defense production and procurement of defense materials in Europe. Now our task is to maintain this course in negotiations on the next EU multiannual budget – so that money for defense production, procurement, and our common security is clearly earmarked there as well. I also hope that the European Commission will find additional funding for the FAST program, so that small and medium-sized enterprises can more easily attract private funding. This is especially important for Latvia in these unstable times, when new investors are afraid to invest in the EU's border region and need guarantees,” emphasizes Ivars @Ijabs, MEP of “Latvijas attīstībai”. Read more about the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) here: https://t.co/GXZYMAjEuf
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From@markomihkelsonChairmen of Foreign Affairs Committees of 20 European countries emphasise in their Joint Statement today that just and lasting peace cannot be achieved by yielding to the aggressor; instead, it must be grounded in international law and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty.🇪🇪🇧🇪🇩🇰🇫🇮🇫🇷🇳🇴🇪🇸🇵🇱🇮🇸🇱🇹🇺🇦🇱🇻🇸🇪🇪🇺🇬🇧🇨🇿🇮🇹🇮🇪🇳🇱🇱🇺🇵🇹
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From@ArtursButans1) The healthcare of Latvians declared abroad costs the state 3 million. 2) The healthcare of Russian citizens living in Latvia costs the state 30 million. ❓Guess which of these Vienotība intends to protect in the state budget in 2026? 👉🏻Correct - privileges for Russian citizens. #budžets
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From@VL_TBLNNK🇱🇻Together for Latvia! #LāpuGājiens #18novembris https://t.co/qmH8qLMWuS
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From@maija_armanevaDO DEPUTIES COVER UP VIOLENCE CRIMES??? That's exactly how it looks!!! 😡 And the biggest violence 'fighters' and prosecutors turn out not to want to fight cruel violence at all, and fully support the system's negligence! Now it must be said: SHAME! Vote in the first comment ⤵️ PLEASE SHARE THIS POST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!
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DO DEPUTIES COVER UP VIOLENCE CRIMES??? That's exactly how it looks!!! 😡 And the biggest violence 'fighters' and prosecutors turn out not to want to fight cruel violence at all, and fully support the system's negligence! Now it must be said: SHAME! Vote in the first comment ⤵️ PLEASE SHARE THIS POST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!
We have planted our roots deep in Latvia's soil. We will not yield to the winds, but will grow strong, protecting our land. Thank you to everyone who respects and honors Latvia's name at home and abroad. May the national holiday remind us - Latvia is our shared responsibility. I congratulate you on the 107th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia!
⭐️⭐️⭐️Together with the Three Tenors, Latvian officers, riflemen, legionnaires, and national partisans, we honored our soldiers and celebrated the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia! 🇱🇻 Glory to our freedom fighters and to Latvia! #uzpriekšatvieši #tristenori #bunkurs13
From@akirsteiThis greeting perfectly demonstrates the highest degree of degeneration among some diaspora Latvians! An American Latvian and a deputy of the JV faction congratulate the totalitarian regime - a friend of Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and a communist - on being elected mayor of New York! https://t.co/v5fZFbhX2H
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Notably, yesterday the Saeima supported a request to Transport Minister Atis Švinka regarding the fact that he will reduce the provision of public transport services by buses on regional routes by 16%.
From@AgneseMargevicaFrom Augusts Brigmanis's interview with Diena tomorrow. “Well, the opposition will write draft proposals for the resignation of some minister and we will support them. With such a vote arrangement in the Saeima, when the coalition barely holds on by a few votes, doing this is so elementary that the opposition can pick off ministers one by one - at one moment they submit a resignation request for one minister, we support it, they submit one for another minister, we support it, and in the end the government is left with just Siliņa alone with four ZZS ministers.”
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Today the Saeima made the right decision and did not support the appointment of Jānis Sikšņa to the leadership of SEPLP. A person who supports the Russian language in the media space cannot be put forward for office. Ukraine's experience clearly shows – the Russian language is used as an instrument of the occupiers' influence. https://t.co/Pmrvqwphk9
🏝Will Latvia become a small Mumbai? 👉We will have to accept migrants or pay 20,000 for each rejected migrant. ☝️Estonia, Poland, and the Czech Republic have defended their interests and shown that they are already facing migration pressure. These countries will have the opportunity to secure an exception. https://t.co/2nhwSbtkFJ
Deputy Linda Liepiņa says that the requirement for teachers in educational institutions to use the state language in mutual communication and also in communication with students is an exaggeration. My response in video: #stateLanguage https://t.co/mNlaqTs4py
From@EvikaSilinaI have always firmly advocated for Latvia to have an exception in the migration pact. Given the news about the European Commission's proposal on migration matters, I stress – no member state has an automatic exception from the solidarity mechanism. This is a proposal that will still be discussed. Latvia is in close contact with the EC and will continue to insist on the need for an exception, given the migration pressure on the state border and Latvia's significant contribution to strengthening the border and curbing illegal migration. Latvia has explained this at all levels – from experts to the EC President.
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Yesterday, during the coalition partners' budget talks, an agreement was reached to support the proposal to continue the implementation of the Latvian Oncology Center project. This agreement will make it possible to continue construction work and purchase equipment without delay. According to the proposal, the Cabinet of Ministers is expected to reallocate EUR 60.4 million from European Union Structural Funds programmes by 1 May 2026 for the implementation of the project. The hospital will also be able to conclude a contract with the construction contractor to start the second phase of the project. Health care is a matter of national security. We cannot talk about state security if public health is in a critical condition. The modernisation of the Latvian Oncology Center is a step that will save lives and give new breath to the health care system. According to OECD data, cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality in Latvia are still higher than the EU average, so the implementation of the LOC project is essential to improve the health and survival of the population. Delays in the implementation of the project were a negative signal for oncology patients, pointing to a lack of political commitment. It is important that the contract for the construction of the project is signed still this year. Delays in implementing the LOC project would increase costs and negatively affect patients' treatment options. Also, during the budget talks, an agreement was reached on additional support for health care in the regions – plans to increase allowances for rural family doctors and create an Emergency Medical Care point in Indra Parish. These decisions will strengthen access to health care throughout Latvia and provide long-term benefits for patients and medical staff.