This week Latvia’s attention was mostly focused on the situation surrounding the Victory Monument. The country’s parliament passed in the final reading legislative amendments that basically permit the demolition of the «occupation monument», as many in Latvia call it.
Latvian residents are not idle, however, and actively donate money to have the monument demolished. More than EUR 100 000 was collected for this purpose in a single day.
This year celebration of 9 May lasted longer in Latvia and overlapped to 10th and 11th of May, when people returned to Victory Square after the ‘real holiday’ to lay flowers at the monument. The reason was that the flowers they brought to the monument on 9 May were removed the next morning. Police did not stop people from coming, which is why authorities and Latvia’s Minister of the Interior received a bashing for inaction. National Alliance political party has even declared an ultimatum – either Golubeva steps down, or the party leaves the ruling coalition.
The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, meanwhile, reports that inflation in the country as 13% in April. Food prices have increased 17.4% and for fuel – by 45.7%.
This week Finland’s government announced a historic decision to join NATO. Russia is, understandably, unhappy. Sweden is also expected to make an announcement on joining NATO soon.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Monument’s demolition; 10th May failure; European Capital of Culture 2027; Major price leap; Protective masks; Russia – terrorists; NATO.
MONUMENT’S DEMOLITION
Latvian parliament cancels legal obstacles, opening the way for Victory Monument’s demolition
Photo: Reinis Inkēns/SaeimaOn Thursday, 12 May, Latvia’s Saeima passed in the final reading amendments proposed by the Foreign Affairs Committee, lifting legal obstacles and opening the way for the demolition of the Soviet monument located in Victory Park, Riga.
Amendments were passed to the Law on Agreements between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation signed in Moscow on 30 April, 1994.
The passed law states that Section 13 of the agreement reached between the governments of the Russian Federation and Republic of Latvia on social protection of military pensioners of the Russian Federation and their family members residing in the territory of the Republic of Latvia is no longer in effect. This section provided for the protection and maintenance of memorials in Latvia.
More here
10th MAY FAILURE
National Alliance threatens to leave Latvia’s ruling coalition if minister Marija Golubeva is not dismissed
Latvian Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva. Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETAThe Saeima faction of the National Alliance and the party’s board have decided to request dismissal of Latvia’s Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva due to the situation observed at the Soviet monument in Pārdaugava on 9th and 10th May, as confirmed by the party’s representative Laima Melkina.
The party stats in its statement – if the PM and coalition parties do not respect National Alliance’s opinion, the party may decide to leave the government and call back its own minister.
«What every loyal Latvian person was forced to experience in their country on 9th and 10th of May is unacceptable. We cannot accept this an everyday occurrence for which politicians try to avoid responsibility by using symbolic criticisms and promises to do better in the future,» said the head of NA and chairman of the party’s Saeima faction Raivis Dzintars.
More here
EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2027
Latvia’s Liepaja picked as European Capital of Culture 2027
Photo: Ieva Leiniša/LETAThe city where wind is born – Liepaja – is picked as European Capital of Culture 2027!
This means Liepaja will have the honour of representing Latvia in the context of European culture in 2027.
An event was held at Latvia’s National Library and the winner was announced. Latvia’s Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis said: «This is truly a great moment!»
The Ministry of Culture notes that applications in the final stage of the contest were evaluated in accordance with the following criteria: investment into long-term strategy, European dimension, cultural and art content, implementation capability, society’s involvement and management.
More here
MAJOR PRICE LEAP
Inflation in Latvia reaches 13%
Photo: Sintija Zandersone/LETACompared to April 2021, the average level of consumer prices increased by 13.0 % in April 2022.
Compared to April 2021, the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, goods and services related to transport, goods and services related to housing, prices in miscellaneous goods and services group, prices of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, restaurant and hotel services, health care, as well as clothing and footwear in April 2022, according to the latest data of the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
More here
PROTECTIVE MASKS
Latvia to lift mask-wearing requirement for public transports on 15 May
Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAFrom 15 May onward residents in Latvia will no longer have to wear protective masks when using public transport services, as provided by amendments passed by the Cabinet of Ministers’ Epidemiological Safety Measures for the Containment of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection passed on Tuesday, 10 May.
The Ministry of Transport explains that amendments were proposed, considering that all previous security measures are already lifted since the risk of Covid-19 infection has dropped to low level.
More here
RUSSIA – TERRORISTS
Lithuania declares Russia a terrorist country
Photo: V. Chorna/SeimasOn Tuesday, 10 May, Lithuanian Seimas unanimously voted in favour of the resolution that declares Russia’s war in Ukraine a genocide of Ukrainians and Russia – a country supporting and enacting acts of terrorism.
The resolution was passed with support from 128 Seimas deputies. None of the deputies who attended the meeting voted against it or abstained.
The resolution passed by the Seimas details that Russian armed forces and mercenaries have committed mass war crimes in Ukraine, especially in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Borodyansk and Hostomel.
More here
NATO
Finland announces intention to join NATO
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö (left) and Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Photo: REUTERS/SCANPIXThe top political leaders of Finland have released a joint statement calling for a quick path of the country to join the NATO military alliance, Finnish public broadcaster YLE reports.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö have stated on Thursday, May 12, that they had come to the conclusion after a wide-ranging debate on security policy following Russia’s renewed attack on Ukraine.
More here
BNN summary of the week: Occupation monument’s demolition. Peaks of inflation in Latvia. Finland in NATO
