If we look back at the most notable events that transpired in Latvia in 2024, the ones in the political segment do not differ too much from previous years. Arrogance, intrigues and scheming have not disappeared anywhere, as is the false belief that a high office permits everything, even publicly lying or wasting taxpayers’ money. Still, there were reasons for happiness – like the success from film-maker Gints Zilbalodis, Latvian Paralympic athletes’ success in Paris or singer Don’s accomplishments at Eurovision. Nevertheless, Russia’s savage war in Ukraine remained in the centre of attention. BNN offers a look at what we believe were the most important events of 2024.
Support for Ukraine – the focus of the year
Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETA
Sadly, the hope of Ukraine defeating the hordes of Russians in 2024 did not come to pass, and all that is left is hope for 2025. Everyday since the 24th of February 2022 we remind ourselves – Ukraine is the shield that protects the rest of Europe from Russia’s aggressive intentions. Russian bombs don’t fall on our cities, our men are not forced to defend their land with weapons in hands. If we want it to stay this way – we have to help Ukraine!
Total support to Ukraine in 2024 exceeded EUR 200 million. Our defence ministry has initiated an international drone coalition, in which the first fiddle was later handed to the British.
We are pleased with the promise from Prime Minister Evika Silina on the International Crimea Platform for the military support package for 2025. Armoured vehicles “Patria”, drones, equipment and ammunition for soldiers, and training for 4 000 soldiers – all of this will come in handy to Ukrainians. Many thanks to everyone who provides assistance in all this!
Triumph of the year – the success of animated movie “Straume”
Screenshot
The animated movie “Straume” from Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis was showered in praise, and no just in Latvia – around the world. The animated movie, which is internationally known as “Flow”, which was nominated for an Oscar in the “Best International Feature Film” category, received the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) Award for Best Animated Film in early December. The film received the European Film Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival “Straume won four award”, including jury and audience awards, as well as the highest award at the Ottawa Animation Festival. This movie is definitely worth watching.
Fail of the year – Rail Baltica
Photo: Zane Bitere/LETA
This year, after examining reports compiled by the Supreme Audit Institutions of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, we learned that the implementers of Rail Baltica have put their hands in taxpayers’ pockets much deeper than we thought before. It turned out that the estimated cost of the Rail Baltica project has increased fourfold over seven years and may lead to a budget deficit of EUR 10-19 billion. Another EUR 2.7 billion is needed in Estonia, EUR 8.7 billion in Lithuania and EUR 7.6 billion in Latvia. The project’s implementers have promised that the costs could be reduced by one and a half billion if less noise walls and road connections are built, as well as the EUR 900 million if connection between Riga Airport and Misa is not built. However, there are no guarantees the project will not grow new weird extras.
Joy of the year – theatre halls and Don’s accomplishments
Singer Dons (Artūras Šingirejs).Photo: Lita Millere/LETA
This year, several events are running for this nomination: the New Riga Theatre has finally returned to its historical building at Lāčplēsis Street 25, and Valmiera Theatre finally held the opening event after reconstruction and renovation works. Latvian singer Dons, with his song “Hollow”, made it to the finals of Eurovision, breaking Latvia’s previous chain of failures at this song contest. Each of these events brought joy and was awaited for a long time. This is why the title of the Joy of the Year goes to all of them.
Phrase of the year – Latvian prime minister’s response
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa. Photo: Ieva Leiniša/LETA
The winner of this category is definitely Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa’s response yelled at one of the meetings of the Saeima “Don’t choke! Don’t vomit!”. This call not to fall victim to one of the human organism’s natural processes was addressed to her former “Unity” colleague turned “Combined List” member Edvards Smiltēns. Later she proudly said she does not regret her insulting comment said during a meeting of the parliament because she believes her former colleague had “personally insulted her” by saying she is unable to lead Latvia’s government. If we assume that Smiltēns is not the only who doubts Silina’s skills as head the of the government, then it’s scary to even think how many similar comments about the human body the prime minister may use in retaliation to public doubts of her professional capabilities…
“Duck Whistle” of the Year – the lies about the Russian drone
Commander of Latvian National Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Leonīds Kalniņš, Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds, and Commander of Air Forces Col. Viesturs Masulis. Photo: Ieva Leiniša/LETA
The Russian “Shahed” type drone that crashed in Gaigalava of Rezekne municipality on the morning of the 7th of September proved potentially dangerous not only for residents of the county, but also for high officials in Latvia. It was dangerous for the residents there because it was equipped with explosives and could have caused a tragedy. The tragedy for politicians from all this was in their lies and incompetence. Even after it was found out that the story about tracking the drone throughout its entire flight in Latvian air space was one big lie, no heads rolled. The response from the now former Commander of Latvian Armed Forces Leonīds Kalniņš, considering he had three months left until the end of his term at the time of the incident, was not surprising. What was surprising, however, is that Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds (Progressives) managed to keep his post. There was no strong stance from the country’s top officials regarding the defence ministry’s leadership’s efforts to hide the true picture. And that’s definitely not a good thing.
Accomplishments of the Year – Latvian Paralympians in Paris
Latvian Paralympic horseback rider Rihards Snikus and his horse King of The Dance. Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA
At the Olympic Games in Paris, Latvian athletes did not triumph, so the greater the satisfaction came from the performance of Latviam Paralympians, who went home with four medals. Rihards Snikus won two gold medals with his horse King of the Dance – in the individual riding and in the individual freestyle riding, Diana Krumina won the gold medal in the javelin toss, reaching a new Paralympic Games record of 24.99 metres, while five-time Paralympic Games medallist Aigars Apinis brought home a silver medal in discus throwing.
Scapegoats of the Year – political supervisors to Rail Baltica
Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA
Everything about the scapegoats of the year can be read in the final report of the Saeima Parliamentary Inquiry Committee for Rail Baltica, headed by Andris Kulbergs. The committee has established that the involvement of prime ministers and other ministers in the supervision and coordination of the Rail Baltica project was lacking, and the project has been managed exclusively by the Ministry of Transport so far. Also noteworthy is the insufficient management from the Ministry of Finance in risk management and financial control. The most important information in this report are the names of the people members of the committee believe to be responsible for this mess.
Fall of the Year – Krišjānis Kariņš leaves politics
Bijušais Ministru Krišjānis Kariņš.Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETA
Artūrs Krišjānis Kariņš’s political career fell apart like a house of cards in 2024, and it is unlikely he will return. When it was revealed that nearly EUR 545 000 was taken from Latvia’s and Europe’s budgets to pay for special flights during his term as Latvian PM, Kariņš, who was then moved to the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in Siliņa’s government, decided to step down. The main criticism in this whole story was about the illegally spent EUR 221 566 from the state budget, which was paid for private flights, even when alternatives to scheduled commercial flights, such as our own airBaltic, were also available in reasonable time.
Kariņš’s dreams of being elected to the European Parliament, becoming a European Commissioner from Latvia or deputy secretary-general of NATO were also crossed out as a result. After Krišjānis Kariņš announced his resignation from the board of Unity during the state budget review because he “no longer supports the policies pursued by this party”, his work in active politics came to an end.
Pass of the Year – failed election of the Governor of the Bank of Latvia
Photo: Lita Millere/LETA
In this category, two events compete for the winner’s laurels. The demotion of the former Director of the State Chancellery Jānis Citskovskis due to Krišjānis Kariņš’s flight scandal and the withdrawal of the candidatures of Mārtiņš Kazāks and Reiņš Bērziņš just a day before the Saeima voted on their candidacy for the post of Governor of the Bank of Latvia. Citskovskis did not want to become the country’s chief “slot lord” (director of the Economic Security Division) and submitted his resignation. Bērziņš and Kazāks said nothing, but it is clear that the Altum boss is unlikely to ever run for Governor of the Bank of Latvia. Politicians claim that this was done for Latvia, but there is no faith in it. Therefore, the laurels of the “pass of the year” will go to the not-election of the Governor of the Bank of Latvia.
International Filth of the Year – British sanctions against Lembergs family
Aivars Lembergs. Photo: Zane Bitere/LETA
At the end of November, Britain, in its fight against corruption and money laundering, imposed sanctions against [former Mayor of Ventspils] Aivars Lembergs and his daughter Līga. The announcement was published on the official website of the British government. The announcement mentions: “Aivars Lembergs, one of Latvia’s richest people, who abused his political position to commit bribery and launder money. Lembergs has attempted to hide the proceeds of his corruption in investment trusts and other corporate structures, including in the name of his daughter, Liga Lemberga – also sanctioned today. In 2021, Lembergs was found guilty of 19 charges including extorting bribes, forgery of documents, money laundering, and improper use of office in a court in Riga.” Aside from Aivars Lembergs and his daughter, Britain also imposed sanctions against Ukrainian businessman Dmitry Firtash and his wife Lada, as well as citizen of Angola and Russia, billionaire Isabel Dos Santos.
Search of the Year – VDD visits Tatyana Zhdanok
Tatyana Zhdanok. Photo: Zane Bitere/LETA
After Tatyana Zhdanok’s term as as a Member of the European Parliament and, consequently, the immunity afforded by her mandate came to an end, the State Security Service was finally able to raid locations related to her in Latvia and, at the request of the Latvian Prosecutor General, her apartment in Brussels. What was seized during these searches is not publicly known, but images of a collection of several interesting items have already travelled all over the Internet. In addition to books on Russian history and pioneer pennants, there was also an invitation to an audience with Putin and candy from Putin in a heart-shaped box were found.
Legislative Failure of the Year – amendments to MTPL Law
Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA
The Saeima passed and the President pronounced amendments to the MPTL Law and then promptly ended up in a ditch. Legislators decided to make it mandatory for people to purchase an MPTL for all vehicles, even if their registration is not temporarily paused. This meant residents would have to pay for any vehicles left rusting outside, unless it was taken off the register. People were expected to pay for MTPL even if the vehicles they own has stood idle for years and has transformed from a form of transport to a home for dogs. Only after an outrage on social networks rocked the country, the Saeima decided to start fixing its mistakes, promising to review the MTPL policy. Saeima deputies Didzis Šmits and Andris Kulbergs even apologized for their failure to study the subject and the legislative changes they had supported.
“Promise is no breakfast” of the Year – the half a billion gifted to airBaltic and its non-existent investors
Photo: LETA
This could be the best way to describe the loud promises from airBaltic and Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens that we are about to get a strategic investor with an enormous wallet that will help our airline blossom. To prepare for the initial public offer procedure, the Latvian government decided to lower airBaltic’s capital by EUR 571.293 million, thereby basically writing off a portion of the government’s previous investments. But, somehow, we have yet to hear from or see this investor. In the past nine months, however, airBaltic operated with losses worth EUR 48.5 million.
“Never-ending Story” of the Year – legal proceedings in Lembergs criminal case still continue
Aivars Lembergs. Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETA
The legal proceedings in the criminal case in which Aivars Lembergs, Anrijs Lembergs and Ansis Sormulis are on the accused bench still continue and are unlikely to end soon. This is because the Department of Criminal Cases of the Senate of the Supreme Court decided to initiate cassation procedures on the 17th of December. The case is compiled in 349 volumes. The verdict of the court of first instance takes 1 924 pages. The verdict of the court of appeal takes 579 pages. The prosecutor in charge of the case submitted a protest. There are also 15 cassation complaints, taking up 1 021 pages in total. It is impossible to say how long these cassation complaints will take to review. If we look back, we will see that Riga Regional Court started viewing this case as far back as 2009, so the title “Never-ending Story” is warranted here.
Lies and political scandals, Rail Baltica, “Straume”. A look back at the most notable events of 2024 from BNN
