Although the 14th Saeima elections are over, political talks in Latvia came to a turn this week – parties that were elected to the new parliament were announced and a new potential core of the coalition started taking shape. All of this was followed by difficulties finding common ground between the potential coalition parties.
With elections over a total of seven political parties passed the 5% barrier and entered the Saeima: New Unity, Union of Greens and Farmers, National Alliance, Combined List, For Stability!, Latvia in First Place and Progressive Party.
A stable coalition core is taking shape – New Unity, Combined List and National Alliance. The Progressive Party’s possible involvement remains in question, however.
Latvia’s President Egils Levits stressed this week that the Union of Greens and Farmers, which was the second most popular party during 14th Saeima elections, and its prime minister candidate Aivars Lembergs would be a serious threat to Latvia and its security if allowed in the government.
Security-wise, Finland has decided to ban Russian citizens with tourist visas from entering the country. This way the country has completely closed off EU’s land borders for Russian citizens fleeing military mobilisation in the country.
The European Union has approved the eighth package of anti-Russian sanctions, setting a price cap on Russian oil and expanding restrictions for imports and exports to and from Russia.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: 14th Saeima elected; Coalition talks; Three or four parties?; Threat to security; No receipt; Eighth package of sanctions; EU borders closed down; Universal charger.
14th SAEIMA ELECTED
Latvia’s14th Saeima gradually taking shape
Photo: LETA/BNN collageNew Unity showed the best results in the recent Saeima elections, receiving 18.97% of votes and 26 mandates, according to results compiled by the Central Elections Commission (CVK).
Seven political parties were elected to the new Saeima – New Unity, Union of Greens and Farmers, Combined List, National Alliance, For Stability!, Latvia in First Place and Progressive Party. Attīstībai/Par! political party failed to overcome the 5% barrier, according to election results published by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia from 1 055 election sites.
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COALITION TALKS
Latvia’s Krišjānis Kariņš authorised by president to commence coalition formation
Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAOn Monday, 3 October, Latvia’s President Egils Levits authorised New Unity’s representative Krišjānis Kariņš to commence coalition formation talks talks with other parties.
It is expected Kariņš will inform Levits of results of coalition formation talks in a week.
The president allowed that if Kariņš’s consultations are successful, Kariņš may be nominated for the position of prime minister.
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THREE OR FOUR PARTIES?
Progressive Party’s part in government formation in Latvia remains topical
Photo: Sintija Zandersone/LETANew Unity’s headed coalition formation talks with the Combined List and National Alliance revealed no insurmountable differences of opinions, as journalists were told by the party’s leader Krišjānis Kariņš on 4 October.
During talks representatives of the three parties discussed topics important for the development of Latvia, including ways to secure more rapid economic growth, the country’s domestic and external security, as well as the education system. Kariņš said this was but the first round of talks.
On 5 October, New Unity plans to meet with the third ‘potential partner’ – Progressive Party.
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A THREAT TO SECURITY
President: nominating Lembergs for PM’s seat would cause enormous risks for Latvia’s security
Latvia’s President Egils Levits. Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAIn his interview to Latvijas Radio programme Krustpunktā, Latvia’s President Egils Levits said that the decision by the Union of Greens and Farmers to pick Aivars Lembergs as their candidate for the seat of prime minister presented an enormous risk for Latvia and the country’s security.
When asked if the Union of Greens and Farmers can be considered a part of democratic parties in Latvia, Levits said no.
«[The party] has not distanced themselves from a person who represents oligarchy, corruption, and who is under sanctions imposed by our strategic allies,» said Levits.
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NO RECEIPT
Nearly 13 000 households apply for energy crisis aid in three days in Latvia
Photo: PexelsIn the first three days of October nearly 13 000 households applied for energy resource price increase compensation, as confirmed by ZZ Dats LLC and www.epakalpojumi.lv developer Edžus Žeiris.
Between 1st and 4th of October 2022 www.epakalpojumi.lv received 12 818 applications from households for different aid. 9 057 of them were submitted by residents using the portal, 3 761 were submitted at institutions of municipal administrations that are responsible for registering residents’ applications.
According to information ZZ Dats, 0.5% of all registered applications detail requests for compensation for firewood procured for heating and 5.5% are for compensation of briquettes and granules. Residents also submit receipts together with applications.
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EIGHTH PACKAGE OF SANCTIONS
Europe approves eighth package of anti-Russian sanctions
Photo: FlickrThe European Union (EU) has approved the eighth package of anti-Russian sanctions in an effort to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine.
These new sanctions introduce a cap on prices for Russian oil, as well as expand imports and exports of goods and services to and from Russia, as stated in the announcement published on the website of the European Commission on Thursday, 6 October.
New sanctions prohibit the transportation of Russian oil to third countries through the territory of the EU starting with December 2022 and the transportation of Russian petrol products starting with February 2023. Restrictions also extend to the exports of financial and other services related to transport services.
On top of that the EU has also agreed on a price cap for Russian oil.
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EU BORDERS CLOSED DOWN
Finland to limit entry to the country for Russian citizens
Photo: Unsplash/BNN collageFrom 30 September onward Finland will deny entry to the country for Russian citizens who have tourist visas. This means European Union’s land borders become completely closed to Russian citizens who want to flee the ongoing partial mobilisation in Russia, as reported by Lithuanian public media LRT.
With this decision Finland joins Baltic States and Poland, which have already restricted border crossing for Russian citizens who have Schengen visas.
As the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto told the media, the objective of this decision is completely restricting Russian tourism and related transit through Finland.
The Finnish government plans for this decision to significantly reduce traffic intensity on the Finnish-Russian border.
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UNIVERSAL CHARGER
Europe to adopt universal chargers for mobile phones and other devices in 2024
Photo: UnsplashThe European Parliament (EP) has passed a legislative act that will allow consumers in the European Union the charge their electric devises using a single universal adapter, as reported by EP press-secretary in Latvia Jānis Krastiņš.
By 2024 all mobile phones, tablet PCs and cameras sold in the EU are to be fitted with a USB C-type recharging port. From 2026 onward this requirement will also apply to laptops. This new directive is part of EU’s efforts to reduce electric waste and provide consumers the option to make an environmentally friendly choice.
In accordance with the directive, consumers will no longer have to buy a new recharges for every new device, because it will be possible to recharge many small and medium-sized mobile electronic devices using the same charger.
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BNN summary of the week: 14th Saeima elected. Coalition talks. New anti-Russian sanctions
