This week passed in Latvia largely with expectations for continued coalition negotiations. The process remains slow, but both the National Alliance and New Unity have generally reached the conclusion that no coalition will be possible without the Combined List.
The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia reported this week that the country’s inflation reached 21.8% in October. Prices of products, meanwhile, have doubled.
News arrived from Ukraine about Russian occupying forces having decided to leave the city of Kherson. This decision is not unambiguous, however. Although Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu has ordered the Russian army to abandon Kherson, Ukrainian representatives say that it is unlikely Russians will leave without a fight.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Prices in Latvia; Negotiations continue; More children; State security; Apartments in Estonia and Ukraine.
PRICES IN LATVIA
Annual inflation reaches 21.8% in Latvia
In October 2022, compared to October 2021, the average level of consumer prices increased by 21.8%, according to the latest data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Compared to October 2021, the average level of consumer prices was mainly influenced by the rise in prices of goods and services related to housing, food and non-alcoholic beverages, goods and services related to transport, within the miscellaneous goods and services group, restaurant and hotel services, goods and services related to recreation and culture, health care, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in October 2022.
Over the year, prices within the group of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 29.5%. Price rise for bread (36.6%), bakery products (27.2%), flours and other cereals (63.9%), pasta products (35.4%) and rice (41.7%) had the strongest upward influence on the average price level within the group. Upturn was recorded in prices of cheese and curd (37.2%), milk products (34.3%), milk (43.1%), yoghurt (24.2%), eggs (17.2%).
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NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE
No coalition in Latvia is possible without Combined List party, partners agree
The National Alliance (NA) and New Unity (JV) agree that it will not be possible to compose a functional coalition in the 14th Saeima without at least three partners. These being National Alliance, New Unity and Combined List (AS), as journalists were told by NA chairman Raivis Dzintars after meeting with representatives from JV.
The politician believes AS and JV have to reach a compromise and move on with the government formation process.
Dzintars said he sees two ways out of this situation – neither of them good. One option is to keep digging to the point of falling apart, which would mean difficult cooperation in the future, he said. The other option is slightly better – spending a bit more time discussing and resolving problems and finding a compromise at last. This way it will be possible to progress with formation of the government, said the NA politician
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MORE CHILDREN
Childcare benefit increase may help increase birth rates, expert suggests
To promote birth rates in Latvia, it may be a good idea to increase the childcare benefits, according to one of the suggested measures presented by Demographic Affairs Centre’s manager Imants Parādnieks (NA).
According to him, the demographic situation in Latvia is affected by economic growth, comfortable living conditions, positive pregnancy experience, child-raising experience and service availability, solutions to crises and national responsibility.
The demographic situation also depends on having an organised and safe living space, health, the concept of family as a value, family-friendly society, career growth, and higher education.
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STATE SECURITY
Latvian VDD actively monitors information space; Grevcova’s TikTok under increased observation
Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) actively monitors the online activity of 14th Saeima deputy Glorija Grevcova, including on the video sharing network TikTok, as BNN was told by VDD.
As BNN previously reported, shortly after giving her oath as deputy of 14th Saeima, Grevcova gave an interview to the radio station controlled by President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko. In it she said that residents in Latvia are evicted from their homes for even the smallest utility payment debts. She also said there is a strict censure in place in Latvia.
On the same day Grevcova’s opinion regarding the destruction of Soviet heritage in Daugavpils was featured on Russian state television.
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APARTMENTS IN ESTONIA
Apartment market in Estonia slumps to a low not observed since 2016
In October 2022 apartment-related deals in Estonia dropped to the level of 2016. It is likely this level will remain across the entirety of 2023, as Estonian ERR was told by Arco Vara real estate firm.
The average apartment price in Estonia was 2 035 EUR/m2 in October, which is 5% higher when compared with September of the same year. However, it does not reflect the real situation in the market. It is more a result of deals with new apartments, informs Arco Vara.
«As of the beginning of November, the average price of sales offers on the Tallinn apartment market was almost five percent lower,» explains the real estate firm, adding that prices in different regions of the country started going down in October. This was especially true for residential districts of Tallinn located farther away from the city centre.
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UKRAINE
War in Ukraine: Russians flee, Ukrainians advance to liberate
The latest information from Ukraine indicates that it regained large territories, while Russians are leaving Kherson, writes BBC.
Ukrainians inform that they have liberated the town of Snihurivka, 50 kilometers north of Kherson. The information from Kyiv confirms that, in some locations, Ukraine’s army advanced as far as 7 km. At the same time, Russia is leaving Kherson. They were facing trouble supplying the city and decided to retreat to the eastern bank of Dnieper to fortify their defence lines. The UK defense secretary said Russia is setting up a defensive line on the other side of the Dnieper using concrete installations.
Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhny commented that Russia has no other option but to flee.
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BNN summary of the week: Price hike in Latvia. Coalition under construction. Russians leave Kherson
