What was the outgoing year 2025 like in Latvia, and which events of this year will continue to affect us in 2026? BNN has compiled some of the most striking developments of the year — both those we can take pride in and those that make us blush.
The first “Oscar” in Latvia’s history. A moment of pride!
In January 2025, Latvia received the news that director Gints Zilbalodis’ animated film Straume had won a Golden Globe Awards for Best Animated Feature. Shortly afterwards, it became known that Straume had also been nominated for an Academy Awards — and ultimately won it.
This marked the first time in Latvia’s history that a Latvian film had ever been nominated for, and received, an Academy Award. The international success of Straume in 2025 became one of the rare events that united Latvian society without political caveats. The film gained attention far beyond Latvia, was widely discussed in the media, and served as an example that a small country can compete in the global cultural arena.
Importantly, Straume’s success did not stem from government strategies or programmatic reforms, but from creative freedom, professionalism, and an independent cultural environment. This made the achievement particularly symbolic: at a time when politics often divides, culture managed to unite. Straume strengthened Latvia’s image as a country capable of creating content with international resonance, rather than merely reacting to external processes — a genuine reputational gain for Latvia.
Municipal elections: Šlesers’ victory in Riga and an organisational failure
If municipal elections are viewed as a dress rehearsal for parliamentary elections, the 2025 vote exposed serious organisational shortcomings that must be addressed before the next Saeima elections. Technical problems in vote counting cost the director of the State Digital Development Agency his position, while Central Election Commission head Kristīne Saulīte also resigned.
The 2025 municipal elections also marked a significant turning point in Latvia’s domestic politics. In several major cities and municipalities, results reflected public dissatisfaction with the existing political offer and a willingness to support alternative political forces.
Particular attention was drawn to the Riga results, after which Ainārs Šlesers publicly questioned the conduct of the elections and announced the possibility of appealing the results. Although the outcomes ultimately stood, the episode highlighted a growing tendency to explain political losses through procedural suspicions rather than voter choice.
At the same time, the elections demonstrated a positive aspect: voter turnout and interest in local governance remained steady, while political competition became more genuine rather than merely formal.
Government instability: majority arithmetic without a common line
In 2025, the government formally continued its work, but its stability increasingly rested on a minimal parliamentary majority and conflicting internal interests. Disagreements within the coalition regularly surfaced over social policy, ideological issues, and foreign policy signals.
This became particularly visible in cases where coalition partners issued publicly divergent assessments, weakening the government’s overall position. Political stability in 2025 was maintained not through a shared vision, but through reluctance to assume responsibility for a government collapse amid geopolitical tensions.
Despite growing tensions between the Zaļo un zemnieku savienība (ZZS) and the Progresīvie, Latvia avoided a political crisis that could have weakened national security.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: consistency in foreign policy
Russia’s war against Ukraine continued to directly shape Latvian politics in 2025. Latvia maintained firm support for Ukraine, including military assistance, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic activity in international organisations.
This remained one of the few issues where political and public consensus stayed strong. Support for Ukraine became part of Latvia’s foreign policy identity rather than a tactical choice.
Latvia withdraws from the Ottawa Convention
Latvia became the first Baltic state to decide to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. As of 27 December, when the decision took effect, Latvia gained the right to use, acquire, or produce anti-personnel mines.
The main reason cited was the Baltic security situation, which has changed significantly compared to 2005, when Latvia joined the convention. Latvia is not alone in reconsidering the issue: Lithuania’s parliament voted to withdraw in May, followed by Estonia and Finland in June.
The decision was supported by 66 members of the Saeima, demonstrating Latvia’s willingness to remain flexible and take difficult but necessary decisions in the interest of collective security.
The Istanbul Convention: a “hot potato” postponed to next year
In 2025, the Istanbul Convention became one of the most politically explosive topics. A decisive role in the escalation was played by ZZS, which voted together with the opposition for Latvia’s withdrawal from the convention.
Instead of addressing the issue on legal or social policy grounds, it was transformed into an ideological battle where compromise became politically impossible. As a result, President Edgars Rinkēvičs delivered a “Solomonic decision,” leaving the question of possible denunciation of the convention to the next Saeima.
Amid the chaos, a positive element stood out: public mobilisation. Protests, civic initiatives, and public debates demonstrated that Latvian society is capable of uniting around values even when the political elite is divided.
Budget and fiscal policy: security first, reforms sidelined
The 2025 state budget prioritised defence, internal security, and social protection. The increase in defence spending was directly linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine and NATO commitments.
At the same time, budget debates revealed a structural issue: increased funding was not accompanied by deep governance reforms. Discussions on public sector efficiency, tax system sustainability, and expenditure control remained secondary.
Positively, political consensus on the importance of security was not questioned, making it one of the few areas of relative agreement in the Saeima.
Disconnection from the Russian power grid
February 2025 marked a long-prepared milestone: the Baltic states disconnected from the Russian-led BRELL electricity system and synchronised with the European power grid. Contrary to earlier fears of power disruptions, the transition went smoothly and was barely noticed by electricity consumers.
The move strengthened energy security, although electricity bills remained higher. From 1 July, consumers also began paying for the maintenance of balancing capacity in the power grid.
Personnel changes instead of a breakthrough
At the beginning of the year, the Prime Minister presented the “Government Breakthrough 4×4 Plan,” naming security strengthening as the main priority, followed by economic development, family welfare, and reducing bureaucracy. In reality, this resulted in the replacement of three ministers — one from each coalition party.
Kaspars Briškens (Pro) was replaced by Atis Švinka as Minister for Transport, Uldis Augulis (ZZS) was replaced by Reinis Uzulnieks as Minister of Welfare, and Anda Čakša (JV) was replaced by Dace Melbārde as Minister of Education and Science.
Political insiders suggested the reshuffle was primarily intended to remove the highly unpopular Briškens while allowing the Progresīvie party to “save face.” Although no real “4×4 breakthrough” materialised, the move succeeded as a short-term solution to preserve government stability.
Rosļikovs’ obscene gesture
Shortly before the municipal elections, Aleksejs Rosļikovs, leader of the party Stabilitātei!, displayed unprecedented disrespect towards Latvia’s parliament. Concluding his speech from the Saeima rostrum, he made an obscene gesture and shouted in Russian: “There are more of us!”
The attempt to attract additional voters backfired. Rosļikovs effectively disqualified himself as a serious politician, although he later claimed the gesture was aimed not at Latvians, but at specific politicians from the National Alliance. Ultimately, voters were unmoved: Stabilitātei! received just 6.9% of the vote in Riga, winning five seats and remaining in opposition.
Rail Baltica: a strategic project with chronic governance problems
In 2025, Rail Baltica remained a prime example of how a strategically important project can become trapped in a cycle of delays, cost overruns, and a lack of political accountability.
While its importance is regularly emphasised as a tool for military mobility and economic integration, implementation in Latvia continued to lag behind initial timelines. As in previous years, political oversight was hampered by fragmented responsibility between the Ministry of Transport, national state-owned companies, and the international joint venture.
Nevertheless, despite persistent problems, the project was not halted, and political commitment at the Baltic level remains intact — especially in the security context.
BNN wishes that 2026 will be politically stronger — with clearer accountability, higher-quality decision-making, and bolder, data-driven policies instead of loud slogans.
BNN IN FOCUS | Latvia in 2025: what we can be proud of — and what we should be ashamed of
