Latvian Political Monitor

For the first time in government, without a veil of secrecy, a plan has been adopted for the next steps of the Rail Baltica project. Within a year, we have found a solution for the first phase that is several billions cheaper. Riga has not been cut off - we will look for the most suitable solution to connect it already in the first phase of the project.

@liana_langa @IZM_gov_lv @visc_gov_lv State olympiads in Russian language are not held, supported, or funded. https://t.co/vSq4tkWffg

@liana_langa @IZM_gov_lv I will clarify - the website https://t.co/GkzUC39jRB The one-stop agency is a @SIFlv project, whose funding sources are EU and state budget (Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Interior) funds.

If Latvia could reduce the shadow economy by just 2%, we would have enough to pay off the Riga connection PPP over 20 years. For over a decade, the shadow economy has remained steadily above 20%; there are opportunities to change that.

I understand that the Riga connection cannot be afforded immediately. But I do not understand the New Unity position that we must now completely give in. We have already reduced costs by 4.1 billion euros - we need to continue reducing costs and talk to private investors! https://t.co/gFVFTozYGf

@JurgisLiepnieks NA invited Sprūds to a meeting already in early September. Still today 'looking for time'... So this is about attitude, not inability. For comparison, the health minister not only responds to opposition party invitations, but himself maintains contact and informs about what is important in the sector.

Kristovskis does not see NATO enlargement in the near future; political logic does not allow Ukraine to be admitted at this time

Tomorrow, on August 30, traffic will be switched to the temporary bridge in Salacgrīva. The temporary bridge will be used by traffic until autumn 2025, when the construction of the new bridge is planned to be completed.

@edgarsj @AgneseMargevica Thanks for the sharp eye! A slip of the tongue. Of course, V as the “top dog” :))

The European Union has allocated an additional EUR 346.1 million for the implementation of the Rail Baltica project in Latvia. Despite this being the largest CEF call to date at over EUR 7 billion, the total amount of submitted projects exceeded the available funding several times, meaning that many high-quality and ready projects were rejected. The results send a very clear message and mandate — Rail Baltica must not only continue, but the pace of implementation must be increased. The funding allocated to Latvia will provide for significant works in the Southern section towards the Lithuanian border. At the same time, the decision shows that the current project financing system and funding volumes are not optimal, resulting in many projects important to Europe and its member states not being implemented at all or not at full capacity. Therefore, Latvian officials at all levels — from the Prime Minister and ministers to our Members of the European Parliament and the European Commissioner — must work closely with our Baltic colleagues to jointly fight for greater funding for Europe's strategic cross-border connectivity infrastructure, including the Rail Baltica project, in the upcoming EU multiannual budget negotiations. Consequently, adding national co-financing, Latvia has already been allocated more than EUR 1.4 billion for the project's implementation.