Latvia Weekly

Now that the dust has settled on a much-hyped EU Parliamentary election, Otto and Joe discuss the results and their implications both here in Latvia and throughout Europe. Did the far-right/Euroskeptic "wave" that was predicted truly materialize? Does the shooting star populist KPV LV party have a robust future after coming in 10th place? How will the results effect Brexit? All of this and much mo...

Joe sits down with Uldis Dumiņš, director of the Zemgale NGO Center, to discuss the challenges of the NGO sector in Latvia as well as the role NGOs have had in anti-corruption activity and civic reform. Other topics include the potential effects of the EU Parliament election on the NGO sector both domestically and throughout Europe, the trouble with free municipal-funded newspapers, and hot air ba...

With the presidential election just days away, Otto and Joe take a look back at the people who have been president and the people who might be next, with a special focus on coalition candidate Egils Levits and what could be expected from his potential presidency. Other major topics include the latest corruption drama in Rīga, a dramatic threat by the minister of transportation to liquidate the cou...

Now that Joe is back to health, he joins Otto to belatedly celebrate Europe Day with a continent-sized episode discussing major domestic and international developments from the previous week and a half including threats of dismissals by Minister of Justice Jānis Bordans, the latest drama with Rīga City Council, surprising new EU election polls from the UK, a bittersweet run at the International Ic...

Last month, Joe brought his middle school students to the FIRST LEGO League robotics competition in Valmiera and took the opportunity to interview founders Edgars Skruodis and Anna Skroude about their experience starting and running the program as well as student and teacher participants about their experiences during the weekend. This episode is part of a new series exploring some of the interest...

KPV LV celebrates Game of Thrones' final season in style by sending party founder Artuss Kaimiņš to the wall, but with Aldis Gobzems already exiled and Atis Zakatistovs under investigation, is there anyone left to sit on the iron throne of what was one of Latvia's most powerful political forces just months ago? Otto, Joe and their guest producer Ivars discuss this and other major stories including...

The weather is heating up, and so is the growing conflict between the Saskaņa-led Rīga City Council and the national government. Join Otto and Joe as they discuss a major bridge closure, a phony contract scandal, updates in education reform and ongoing corruption cases, a possible concert hall in the Rīga Central Market meat pavillion, solar panels on Maxima supermarkets, and much more! Opening an...

Listen to Joe and Otto discuss the current run-up to the election of European Parliament in Latvia, as well as the usual look at national politics, sports, history and ideas for what to see in Latvia the next week. Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Artist: audionautix.com/ Music prom...

Otto and Joe are back together at Rīga Central Station to discuss the latest drama at Latvia's public television and on Rīga city council, as well as a "vote of no confidence" against Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, some ambitious plans by Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Juris Pūce, smuggled daggers, and much more!

Otto is joined once again by Olevs Nikers to discuss outgoing politicians, ongoing reforms, incoming bans on tobacco and totalitarian uniforms, a surprise Olevs encountered during his first run in Jūrmala, and what exotic events to enjoy the next week in Latvia! Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/l...

Otto is back from a hectic business trip to the US just in time to discuss major stories from last week with Joe, including the closing of casinos in Rīga, the fate of Mayor Nils Ušakovs, the fall from grace of one of the region’s biggest banks, more delays for new electric trains, and much more! Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribu...

Otto is joined by the director of Baltic Strategy Project Mr. Olevs Nikers to discuss best advice to open the running season in Latvia, new ideas of tackling food waste, fights against mismanagement and gambling in the capital city, the most important elections in the last 30 years, and much more! Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attrib...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Join Otto and Joe as they celebrate Ireland's big day while discussing the week's biggest stories in Latvia and abroad, including an English exam cheating scandal, more intrigue at Rīgas Satiksme, 16-year-olds being allowed to hunt, TTT Rīga's success at the womens' basketball championship, and much more! St. Patrick's opening theme: "Morrisson's jig - Leslie's march by Ai...

Otto and Joe are back at Rīga Central Station to discuss International Women's Day as well as major developments throughout the country in terms of the state's budget, ongoing corruption cases, and much more! Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Artist: audionautix.com/ Music promoted b...

Mayor Nils Ušakovs and Vice Mayor Andris Ameriks may be trying to escape Rīga for seats in European Parliament, but Joe and Otto are staying right here in Jelgava to break down the events of the week for you. Segments include domestic and international news, this week in Latvian history, "Deal or No Deal," weather, sports, and the week in the future! Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by A...

Otto and Joe are back at Rīgas Centrālā stacija (Riga Central Station) to discuss the week’s major happenings such as Rīga City Council’s controversial €3.8 million plan to renovate Uzvaras parks, a potential teacher’s strike, plans to combine Latvia’s municipalities, abandoned health reforms, hidden tobacco, and much more! Segments include “Deal or No Deal,” “This Week in Latvian History,” sports...

Otto and Joe are live from Rīga Central Station for a train-themed episode, with major stories about new electric trains and the Rail Baltica project along with some developments in the European parliamentary and Latvian presidential races, clarifications about the status of British citizens in Latvia post-Brexit, major musical achievements, and much more! Opening and closing theme song: Think Tan...

Although the ice sculptures might have melted at the international festival in Jelgava this weekend, support for Rīga's Mayor Nils Ušakovs among his voter base certainly hasn't, with thousands appearing at a rally in Rīga on Saturday to show their support for the embattled leader. Otto and Joe discuss the implications of the rally along with other key stories that include the increasingly messy di...

The coalition talks may be over (for now), but the Latvian political drama has far from finished with Mayor of Rīga Nils Ušakovs' home and office being searched, JKP deputy Juris Jurašs losing his parliamentary immunity despite harsh words from party boss Jānis Bordāns, and the blocking of a major Russian state-sponsored TV channel. Aside from other major domestic and international stories, segmen...

Join Otto as he interviews current Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs as well as former Minister of Culture and current National Library of Latvia Support Foundation director Karina Pētersone about the road to international recognition of Latvian independence as well as the new government's foreign policy goals, the status of British citizens after Brexit, and recommended reading for exp...

By gosh, they did it, they finally did it! Otto and Joe mark the end of the nearly 4-month formation process for the new government by dicussing the new cabinet and some of their upcoming challenges, with other domestic stories including even more drama in KPV LV, updates on the Rīgas Satiksme scandal, and some shake-ups in Latvian media. Other segments include international stories, "Deal or No D...

Otto and Joe discuss major stories both here in Latvia and elsewhere, including more drama in the KPV LV party, an attempt to nationalize Latvia's ports, the government's attempts to predict and prepare for the outcome of Brexit, and more snow! Segments include the "Otto-correct" fact check, "Deal or No Deal," and "This Week in Latvian History." Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by Audion...

Despite a relatively slow news week, Otto and Joe still have plenty to discuss with major developments in the coalition talks as well as some potentially influential international stories worth keeping an eye on. They also reflect on the art of repectful Facebook discussions and introduce a new "Deal or No Deal" and "this coming week" segments to close things up. (Note: There was a problem with on...

Otto and Joe are back from a New Year break with a giant-sized Latvia Weekly episode looking back on not only what happened over the previous week, but the biggest stories of the previous year as well. We've got updates on the coalition talks, the top 10 stories of 2018, and the 2018 Latvia Weekly "person of the year" choices from both listeners and from the blog/podcast staff. Settle in for one l...

Join Otto and Joe in snowy Jelgava as they discuss major developments in the Rīga satiksme bribery case, more roadblocks in the coalition talks, and the publication of the KGB archives along with "This Week in Latvian History," major international stories, and much more! Opening and closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecomm...