Krišjānis Kariņš finally composed the framework of his new government in Latvia this week. The ruling coalition promises the Saeima will vote on the government’s approval on the 14th of December.
The National Electronic Mass Media Council decided to annul the broadcasting licence of Russian opposition television channel TV Rain. The whole story caused quite a scandal in Latvia and abroad. While the Reporters Without Borders are insisting this decision be reversed, Latvia’s neighbours are preparing to follow Latvia’s decision in regards to TV Rain.
This week members of the 14th Saeima rejected a legislative draft signed by more than 23 thousand Latvian citizens that was intended to provide legal protection to all families in the country – natural and same-sex families alike.
This week multiple media in Latvia were fooled and published fake information regarding the death of Itera Latvia president Juris Savickis.
Since the start of Russian-Ukrainian war, the aggressor’s territory has been hit by attacks, and not just the country’s border regions. At the start of December there were drone attacks carried out against Russian military airfields located hundreds of kilometres deep in the country’s territory.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Government composed; Channel shut down; Natural families only; Attacking in defence; Joke in poor taste; Deeper and deeper; Imperialistic plans; Deal between superpowers.
GOVERNMENT COMPOSED
Ruling coalition in Latvia finally announces possible government composition
Minister candidates of the new coalition in Latvia. Photo: LETA/BNN collageThe possible composition of Latvian PM Krišjānis Kariņš’s second government became known after the Combined List union of political parties announced its minister candidates on Tuesday, 6 December.
New Unity plans to pick Arvils Ašeradens for the post of Minister of Finance, Edgars Rinkēvičs for the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Inese Lībiņa-Egnere for the post of Minister of Justice, Anda Čakša for the post of Minister of Education and Science, Raimonds Čudars for the post of Minister of Climate and Energy, and Evika Siliņa for the post of Minister of Welfare.
The National Alliance has picked Ilze Indriksone for the post of Minister of Economics, Ināra Mūrniece for the post of Minister of Defence, Nauris Puntulis for the post of Minister of Culture, and Jānis Vitenbergs for the post of Minister of Transport.
The Combined List has picked director general of Latvian Employers’ Confederation (LDDK) Līga Meņģelsone for the post of Minister of Health, Didzis Šmits for the post of Minister of Agriculture, Māris Kučinskis for the post of Minister of the Interior, and Māris Sprindžuks for the post of Minister of Environment Protection and Regional Development.
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CHANNEL SHUT DOWN
Latvia annuls TV Rain’s broadcasting licence due to threats to national security
Photo: Ieva Lūka/LETAThe National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has decided to annul the broadcasting licence of Latvia-based Russian independent TV Rain channel.
NEPLP chairman Ivars Āboliņš reports the decision to annul the TV channel’s licence was made due to threats to national security and public order this channel poses to Latvia.
The decision was made after reviewing the violations TV Rain committed in recent time: no subtitles in state language, showing Crimea as part of Russia’s territory on the map, referring to the Russian army as «our army», as well as possible calls for support of the Russian army. Information received from the State Security Service was also reviewed. Āboliņš did not mention what this information was about.
«After looking at the set of violations, NEPLP is confident the management of TV Rain does not understand the severity of the violations they have committed. This is why they cannot be allowed to continue operating in Latvia,» said the head of NEPLP.
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NATURAL FAMILIES ONLY
Latvian parliament once again rejects initiative for legal protection of all families
Photo: Zane Bitere/LETAOn Thursday, the 8th of December, the majority of Saeima deputies rejected the collective initiative signed by 23 257 Latvian citizens On legal protection of all families. This initiative suggested legally recognising all couples living together out of wedlock and providing them with social protection.
This would also extend to same-sex couples.
Saeima’s Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee, too, rejected this initiative.
At the meeting of the committee the manager of Spouses Movement Kaspars Zālītis said the Constitutional Court previously mentioned the need to ensure legal protection for unregistered couples.
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ATTACKING IN DEFENCE
Convicted ex-mayor of Ventspils continues posing as persecuted opposition member
Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAVentspils City Council member and leader of For Latvia and Ventspils Aivars Lembergs, who was found guilty of severe crimes and crimes of corruption, has submitted a civil lawsuit against the Saeima, the Latvian government and Riga Regional Court for the prohibition for him to vote in the last municipal elections.
On Thursday, the 8th of December, Riga City Council started reviewing this case. The politician, who is accused of severe crimes of corruption (and who was found guilty by a court of first instance), wants the three aforementioned state power institutions to compensate the damage caused to him and for them to issue an apology for breaching his rights.
In his explanation of the nature of his claim, Lembergs told the judge he has been a politician in opposition to the current government since the 13th Saeima’s term. The plaintiff announced that this is the reason why state institutions and the judicial power committed violation of his rights as a citizen and acted in breach of the Constitution when they applied restrictions and penalties on him.
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JOKE IN POOR TASTE
Itera Latvija manager considers turning to police over public claims of his death
Juris Savickis. Photo: Zane Bitere/LETAItera Latvija manager Juris Savickis considers turning to the police over the fake information about his death that was published by multiple Latvian media on Thursday, the 7th of November.
In the morning of the 8th of December multiple media in Latvia received a press-release document, detailing the apparent death of Juris Savicskis.
The press-release detailed Savickis’ biography, accomplishments, as well as the place and date of his funeral. The press-release itself that was sent from Google e-mail service Gmail.
Itera Latvija employees that were contacted to confirm this information was surprised about the press-release and the information reported in it.
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DEEPER AND DEEPER
Explosions occur at two Russian military airfields
Photo: AP/SCANPIX/LETAAfter explosions at two Russian military airfields, three people are dead, and at least eight are injured, the BBC reports.
The explosion of a fuel tank at the military airfield near Ryazan killed three and injured six people. Two more people were injured in the blast at the military base in the Saratov region. The cause of the explosions is unknown, and they follow the release of a satellite video showing increased military activity at the Engels base.
It is believed that Russian long-range bombers are based at Engels airfield in the Saratov region.
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IMPERIALISTIC PLANS
Prince Heinrich XIII: Who is the failed mastermind of the German coup?
Masked police officers arrest Heinrich XIII. Photo: AP/SCANPIX/LETAPrince Heinrich XIII is one of the last representatives of the Reuss dynasty, and he is considered one of the main planners of the coup, writes Reuters.
The 71-year-old was one of the arrested members and supporters of the far-right Reichsbürger group involved in plotting a coup in Germany.
Prince Heinrich XIII comes from the Reuss dynasty, which ruled the area of present-day Thuringia for several centuries until the revolution of 1918 and the subsequent establishment of the Weimar Republic. The prince is known for his radical views, including a penchant for anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and claims that the monarchy was a form of government that provided a better life for all.
Although officially there are no princes or princesses in Germany, some monarchs’ descendants have retained the title. Prince Heinrich also used the title in the name of his company: Buero Prinz Reuss.
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DEAL BETWEEN SUPERPOWERS
Griner coming home – USA and Russia swap prisoners
Brittney Griner. Photo: Reuters/SCANPIX/LETAAfter more than nine months in a Russian prison, American basketball start Brittney Griner is on her way home. This was possible thanks to the agreement reached between Russia and USA on the swap of prisoners, as informed by BBC.
Griner, who was arrested in Moscow for having marijuana oil on the 17th of February, 2022, was swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who spent more than 12 years in a US prison.
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BNN SUMMARY OF THE WEEK: Government approved. Unmarried couples shoved aside. Imperialists’ coup
