Latviski
English
По-русски
Latvia
Prime Minister: activities to give non-citizens voting rights – unjustified
(No Ratings Yet)
Valdis Dombrovskis
Actions directed towards giving non-citizens rights to vote in the next year’s municipal elections are completely unjustified, because voting rights are a privilege of only citizens of the Republic of Latvia, notes Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis.
If some person wants to take part in elections, then he or she needs to naturalize, and, as far as I know, many non-citizens do exactly that, the Prime Minister noted during his interview to 900 seconds broadcast of LNT television channel.
According to him, the naturalization process in Latvia definitely needs to be continued.
While, when asked about the countless referendums, the Prime Minister did not hide the fact that the Saeima Judicial Commission is currently working on ways to make sure Latvia does not drown in a sea of continuous referendums.
BNN previously reported that one and a half thousand citizens have signed the proposal to hold a referendum on whether or not to give citizenship to non-citizens, this information was based on the report of Adrey Tolmachevs, the coordinator of the For equal rights movement.
Ref: 102.109.109.1244
Court in France questions Head of IMF
Christine Lagarde, the Head of the International Monetary Fund, has been summoned to a court in Paris for questioning about a payout to a business magnate taken place at her time as French Finance Minister.
Moscow police: Cars with Baltic license plates often used in criminal activities
Moscow traffic police pay more attention to cars with foreign license plates because such vehicles are often used in crimes, according to the press office of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate for Moscow.
12 million LVL overpaid for expensive compensated medications
Latvian residents overpaid a total of 12 million LVL when purchasing expensive compensated medications last year, as reported by the director of the National Health Service Maris Taube at the opening of the “Ārstējies nepārmaksājot” (Don't overpay for treatment) informative campaign.
10 million of Samsung Galaxy S4 sold in «record» time
Sales of the Galaxy S4 smartphone have reached 10 million in «record» time, Samsung announced on May 23.
Latvia's producer prices up by 1.4%
Compared to March, the overall level of producer prices in Latvian industry in April 2013 increased by 0.1%. The producer prices of products sold on the domestic market rose by 1.1%, whereas prices of exported products reduced by 0.9%.
Latvia: one car per three residents
Estonia has the largest proportion of cars per capita among other Baltic States – 0.51. Lithuania's index reached 0.40 this year. That of Latvia is 0.33, according to the latest barometer survey data of Autoplius.
Japanese climber, 80, becomes oldest atop Everest
An 80-year-old Japanese mountaineer became the oldest person to reach the top of Mount Everest on Thursday — although his record may last only a few days. An 81-year-old Nepalese man, who held the previous record, plans his own ascent next week.
Wife of Latvian official denies claims about his attempts to hide from the law
I deny the information that the whereabouts of the suspended director of the Customs Criminal Office of the State Revenue Service Vladimir Vaskevics are unknown, says his wife business woman Inara Vilkaste.
Lembergs' cheap shopping spree abroad
It's a waste of money – to buy clothing, footwear and cosmetics in Latvia, says criminally accused Latvia politician Aivars Lembergs.
Ford plans to shut all Australian production by 2016
US car giant Ford Motor will shut all its Australian manufacturing plants by October 2016, after more than 85 years of making vehicles in the country.
Builders: Castle of Light is almost finished
The total expected costs for the construction of the Latvian National Library (LNL) are estimated at 187 million LVL, including VAT.
Man killed in London machete attack
Vulvičas rajonā Londonā politisku iemeslu dēļ ar mačeti nogalināts cilvēks, policija sašāvusi un ievainojusi divus aizdomās turētos.
VideoEU leaders see progress on lifting bank secrecy
EU leaders in Brussels for a special summit on tax evasion and fraud hailed new political momentum on the issue, but few concrete measures were agreed to recoup the estimated €1 trillion yearly in lost revenues.
Aircraft bomb found at Ventspils is neutralized in open sea
Bomb disposal specialists of the Latvian National Armed Forces (LNAF) successfully neutralized the 500 kg aircraft bomb that was recently found in Ventspil port.
U.S. stock futures advance
U.S. stocks futures were trading in a narrow range on Wednesday, May 22, morning, but with the major pre-market indexes seeing slight gains.
500 kg large aircraft bomb found at Ventspils port
Yesterday, May 21, a 500 kg large aircraft bomb was found on the premises of Ventspils port, 3rd Zemessardze disttict headquarters representative Zanda Tamulone reports.
Latvian commercial banks create joint enterprise
On Wednesday, May 22, the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia registered a joint company - Kredītinformācijas Birojs – founded by a number of Latvian commercial banks – SEB bank, Swedbank, Nordea, DNB bank, Citadele bank and ABLV Bank. The goal of the newly founded enterprise is to have it function as a credit bureau.
Energy and taxes to be discussed in EU summit
EU heads of state and government are convening in Brussels to enhance energy market and limit tax avoidance.
Latvian residents travelled more often last year
The results of the survey on the domestic trips of Latvian residents show that the number of overnight recreational and other private trips in 2012 was 3.6 million, which is 11.8% more than in 2011.
Average income per capita in the Baltics exceed pre-crisis peak
The Baltic States continue to come close to the average level of the European Union – in the middle of 2011, the average income per capita in the Baltic states were above the peak of the pre-crisis period.
SEB: there is a 50% chance Lithuania will be eligible for Euro in 2015
The Baltic States have been the most rapidly growing economies in the European Union lately, and they can retain their positions in the future as well. Economic growth in Latvia and Lithuania is expected to slow down this year. That in Estonia will remain unchanged – 3.3% respectively.
Bank of Latvia: increase rate of the national economy to slow down
The general money offer index and attracted finances of credit institutions increased slightly this April. The general cash money demand, on the other hand, had reduced. There was also a moderate reduction in the general credit portfolio.
Apple and other great American companies that keep mountains of cash overseas
Apple found itself in front of a Senate Subcommittee Tuesday, May 21, defending its elaborate practice of keeping cash offshore in order to minimize their tax liability. But Apple is far from the only company that does this.
Oklahoma tornado: a lucky mistake in death toll
Oklahoma state officials have corrected the previously announced number of storm victims down from 91 to 24.
Economy Minister: Russian business interest increases in Latvia
There are two scenarios available for the development of Latvia's economy – stay smart and grow naturally, or use a basis of cheap expenses – attract cheap workforce, Latvian Economy Minister Daniels Pavluts believes. The minister points to the growing interest of Russian business in Latvia, which could potentially lead toward rapid development.
Recommended
Riga mayoral candidate. Guntis Belēvičs: bull in a china shop?
Survey: popularity of current Ventspils management is below 50%Latest
- 12 million LVL overpaid for expensive compensated medications
- Latvia's producer prices up by 1.4%
- Insurers: apartment robbers even take pasta
-
Latvia: one car per three residents | 1
- Wife of Latvian official denies claims about his attempts to hide from the law
-
Lembergs' cheap shopping spree abroad | 1
-
Builders: Castle of Light is almost finished
- Aircraft bomb found at Ventspils is neutralized in open sea
-
PHOTO: reconstruction continues at Riga Castle
-
PHOTO: first capital reconstruction of Latvian National Arts Museum since 1905
Most read
-
Paul Krugman declined participation in the First Riga Economic Forum | 3
-
Friendship between Unity and Prudentia: gigantic losses for state budget | 1
- HM: smoking in the presence of a child is considered abuse
-
Economic Diary: Smash Business with Taxes | 3
- Latvia's living costs reach record high level
- Latvia's foreign trade export is growing faster than import
- Criminal proceedings initiated following searches in RCC Transport Department
- Latvia's problem of unemployed youth is reducing in scale
- Weekends expected to have +30° C heat in Latvia
-
Latvia's representatives fail to enter the finals of Eurovision | 1
Most commented
-
Economic Diary: Smash Business with Taxes | 3
-
Paul Krugman declined participation in the First Riga Economic Forum | 3
-
Lembergs' cheap shopping spree abroad | 1
-
Latvia: one car per three residents | 1
-
Bank of Latvia: increase rate of the national economy to slow down | 1
-
Prudentia distances from the consequences of the advices it once gave | 1
-
Education Ministry: the English language exam experiment was successful | 1
-
Friendship between Unity and Prudentia: gigantic losses for state budget | 1
-
Friendship with Unity – the only thing that keeps Prudentia afloat? | 1
-
Latvia's representatives fail to enter the finals of Eurovision | 1
Top 5 Business news
Economic Diary: Smash Business with Taxes
Latvia's foreign trade export is growing faster than import
Latvenergo's profits drop by 18.5% in 2012
PAA bath manufacturer modernizes production plant and creates Silk Stone material
Oil deposit exploration in Latvia's waters; project managed by people close to Lembergs
Top 5 Social news
Paul Krugman declined participation in the First Riga Economic Forum
Friendship between Unity and Prudentia: gigantic losses for state budget
HM: smoking in the presence of a child is considered abuse
Latvia's living costs reach record high levelTop 5 World news
May 16 in pictures
Gold shipment worth EUR 483,000 lost in Miami
Petrol price fixing scandal: oil giant bosses to be jailed if found guilty
French President: austerity endangers EU
The most horrifying industrial disasters of all timeTop 5 Video
Greek politician slaps woman live on TV
Colombia hosts Miss Pole Dance 2012
VIDEO: Airline fined for in-flight bikini show
VIDEO: The birth of a snowflake
VIDEO: World's most dangerous marketplaceNewest galleries
May 23 in pictures
May 22 in pictures
May 21 in pictures
May 20 in pictures
Photos of the week, 2013.05.17.Newest comments
-
Français abusés @ 2013-05-23 20:13:55
-
Egon @ 2013-05-23 12:07:44
-
Brian @ 2013-05-23 09:51:35
-
@ 2013-05-23 09:20:57
-
@ 2013-05-23 05:57:30
Loading ...
The only right non citizens have in this place is payng taxes to a corrupt administration. I feel sad for this country.
To be honest I think the lv PM statement is horrendous, the comment that all people must be “naturalised” is something we would have heard back in 1939! People that are born in Latvia, been living in Latvia all their lives, pay taxes, support the Latvian economy and community, are in fact Latvian despite what the politicians think. I wonder if in a time of war, the Latvian government and the so called “naturalised Latvian people” would seek help and support from these so called “non-naturalised” people in the country?. I live in a country that also is bilingual and has 2 native languages, and believe me there are no problems here whatsoever. I have never heard such total dribble from a minister in all my life. It really seems that government speakers should see the wider picture instead of looking at the world through tunnel vision. In summation “A ludicrous statement from what I believe is a very small minded politician”. Please remember PM we are now living in 2012!!
C’mon guys, these people can leave for their native country at any moment. Nobody keeps them in Latvia. This country is in such state because their native country invaded it!
Exactly what do you mean when you say “These People”. Non latvian citizens are no different than you or I. If you have lived in a country since birth your entire family, father, mother, brother and sisters are there too, you have children who are in school there, this is their country too, what right does anyone have to tell them to go and live somewhere else!. Latvia is their country, Just because they might speak russian, it does not make them russian, and if you start talking about going back to their native country, then one would think the world population all head on down to Africa, where we all came from.
Dear Peter, the procedure for non latvians to become citizens is as easy as possible. You just have to learn the language, little history and that’s it. I don’t think it is too much asked. Unless you don’t feel at home in this country!
Actually, as someone who has done the first language exam for this, I can tell you how it really is.
I did this mostly for employment reasons in LV. My, how naive that was, but that’s a whole other story.
Firstly, if you have an other-EU-nation passport and nationality, the exam officials will still speak loudly to you in *Russian* as you sign in at front desk before the exam. Even though your name and passport are *clearly* not Russian, ethnically or otherwise. What happens next is they look confusedly for your LV personal code in your EU passport.
Oddly enough, other EU nations don’t put LV personal codes in their passports.
Then they will remember they actually have your name and personal code and address in front of them on a sheet of A4. Still, they will not quite realise yet that you are not in fact Russian. You may have to actually tell them this in your best Latvian, as they may not “get it” in any other EU language ;)
Perhaps if I had learned the Russian phrase for “I’m not Russian” …..OK maybe that would confuse them too.
Next, they will still insist on you telling them your LV personal code even though they have your own other-EU-nation passport with photo in front of them, and all the details – the same A4 sheet with your name, address, and LV personal code on it.
Then, the exam. First thing you notice is a large video camera being put on a fullsize tripod in the room to monitor all the students. Next is the rather harsh attitude of the well-dressed young exam supervisors.After this, we all start. Several of the questions appear to be dramatically ambiguous.
Doesn’t bother me too much as I am good at guessing and interpreting, plus I was very prepared, so could afford to drop a point or two and still pass.
Next, I get a talk-about-the picture routine, seems sensible, except the picture is about a beauty salon with girls in it doing girly stuff and I’m a guy ;) I have to think of some girly things to say about the activities in the picture. Luckily I know the word for nail-varnish but you know, I don’t go for that myself ;)
Next, after the exam is some complex routine to sign for and pick up your certificate and card, with a time-limit, you have to go in person to the office, somewhere completely different from the exam location.
I have no idea what the history exam is like…. perhaps similar to what you’d get if Mugabe had made up a history exam for white farmers?