Latvia Weekly

With less people getting vaccinated week-on-week but only 23% of the country vaccinated so far, the government might be running into a wall in terms of convincing more people to get the shot. Otto and Joe discuss this development along with the further reopening of the Latvian economy, some public works dramas in Rīga, the murky future of Aivars Lembergs, and more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

17 Juni 20211h 9min

The 2021 municipal elections have resulted in strong showing for older guard parties like the Union of Greens and Farmers and the National Alliance, while big winners from the 2018 national election such as the New Conservative Party and KPV.LV had a much rougher go. Otto and Joe break down the results and implications, along with some other important stories from the week in Latvia! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

9 Juni 20211h 9min

As a bizarre constitutional drama unfolds out east with local elections just days away and KPV LV clutches at its last grasp on power in the coalition, Latvia slowly strips away more COVID restrictions with infections decreasing and vaccinations on the rise. Otto and Joe unpack these stories and more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

2 Juni 20211h 2min

Following the Belarusian government's shocking grounding of a Ryanair plane in order to arrest an opposition journalist, Latvia has become embroiled in a diplomatic standoff with not just the Lukashenko regime, but also the International Ice Hockey Federation, whose championship is being hosted in Rīga right now. Otto and Joe discuss these stories along with others such as Latvia's Eurovision woes, new and advanced "average speed cameras," the next episode of the economics ministry soap opera, and the latest COVID-related updates.

25 Maj 20211h

With the 12th grade centralized English exams over but outdoor for cafes and restaurants all tightly booked, Joe joins Otto in his garden to discuss major stories of the week such as a debate over young people's use of Latvian, the further disintegration of what was left of the KPV LV party, a possible one computer per student policy by 2025, the latest COVID updates, and more!

17 Maj 20211h 4min

Days after white tablecloth celebrations marking 31 years since independence, diners return to outdoor restaurant and cafe terraces. Otto and Joe discuss these stories and a number of others, including updates to investigations into two tragic fires, increases to state family benefits, a reorganiziton of the vaccine bureau, and more!

9 Maj 20211h 42min

Otto joins Joe remotely from Rīga to discuss the wide-reaching implications of two very different but equally tragic fires that happened in Latvia over the last week. Other stories include the latest chapter in the endless KPV LV soap opera, good news for Latvia's aviation agency, outrage over Russia's suspected actions in NATO ally Czechia, blooming cherry blossoms, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/_think-tank​ Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8 otos/valstskanceleja/50932447422/

29 Apr 20211h 14min

In a longer than usual episode, Otto and Joe discuss major events of the week such as live queues for the covid vaccine, illegal alcohol deliveries, disappearing bus stop roofs, new party polling, and much more!

20 Apr 20211h 30min