The King of Denmark visited Riga, the mayor of Jūrmala lost access to state secrets, Latvia's national debt is growing… We present the traditional weekly roundup of news that did not go unnoticed.
Convention — Enemy of the Coalition
The entire past week was marked by the creaking of the ruling coalition's construction — it was shaken so much by supporters and opponents of withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention. And now, the Saeima has adopted a law on Latvia's withdrawal from this agreement dedicated to protecting women from violence, while at the same time allowing violence against traditional family values and the usual division of genders.
The last glimmer of hope for the defenders of the document was in the window of the Riga Castle, where President Rinkevics resides, the only one who could veto the law. And he could not deceive their expectations — the bill has been returned for reconsideration in the Saeima. We are monitoring the developments.
Calculated the Share of National Debt for Each Latvian
As of the end of June this year, Latvia's national debt per capita was 10,600 euros, according to data from the Fiscal Discipline Council (FDC).
The highest national debt per capita among European countries is recorded in Belgium - 56,400 euros, while the lowest is in Bulgaria and Estonia, where it amounts to 4,400 euros and 6,900 euros, respectively.
Latvia still remains among the countries with a relatively low level of national debt - 48%.
In 2025, Latvia's national debt is projected to be at 49% of GDP, and in the following years, a faster growth is expected: in 2026, the national debt may reach 51% of GDP, and in 2027 and 2028 - 55% of GDP.
The share of expenses for servicing the national debt in relation to GDP will continue to grow. Interest payments in 2025 are planned to be 519 million euros (1.2% of GDP), in 2026 - 617 million euros (1.4%), and in 2027-2028 - 1.5% of GDP, which will amount to 700 and 736 million euros, respectively.
He Is Not So Mysterious
A new law, which is openly referred to as a political weapon, allows demanding access to state secrets from the heads of local governments and depriving them of it without explanation — is in effect. The mayor of Jūrmala, Gatis Truksnis, did not receive access to work with state secrets. In this regard, Truksnis resigned, although he considers the decision of the Security Police (SP) unlawful.
Truksnis reported that he received a decision from the SP stating that he is prohibited from accessing state secret facilities and has not been issued a special permit to use classified information.
He intends to appeal this decision, as he considers it unlawful and unconstitutional. Truksnis stated: "I will fight to the end for justice, for Jūrmala and its residents, as well as for the rule of law."
In the future, Truksnis will work in the Jūrmala City Council as a deputy. The duties of the mayor of Jūrmala will be performed by Vice Mayor Jānis Lediņš.
According to changes made to the legislation at the proposal of the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, all mayors and vice mayors of cities and regions will have to receive access to state secrets from the special services.
We Rest Culturally: The Promenade Will Be Extended by Another 2.5 Kilometers
After a long standstill, the construction of the Kengarags promenade in Riga is again nearing completion. The promenade, which many Riga residents consider their favorite walking route, will be extended by two and a half kilometers.
The new section will stretch from house 88 on Rumbas Street in Rumbula to Yanogu Street in Dārziņi. Along the entire length, 12 recreational areas, access to water for swimming, lighting, benches, video surveillance, and a system for tracking the number of pedestrians and cyclists are planned.
"This connection along the Daugava has been long awaited by both the residents of Salaspils and Riga, as it will provide convenient and safe cycling and pedestrian communication. It will give access from the center of Riga to the surroundings of Dārziņi, to the dam of the hydroelectric power station, and further to Salaspils," noted Oto Ozols, a representative of LSM+.
According to the plan, construction will begin next year and will take about nine months. Perhaps by 2027, the bike path will finally connect the city center with the outskirts, overcoming a long-standing deadlock in Rumbula.
Visit: The Ashes of Hamlet Knock at Our Heart
King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary visited Latvia.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary, together with Edgars Rinkēvičs, laid flowers at the Freedom Monument. After that, they had meetings with the Speaker of the Saeima, Ināra Mūrniece, and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa.
Their Majesties, the King and Queen, visited the Occupation Museum, the Latvian Academy of Culture, and the Jugendstil quarter on Alberta Street. In the evening, a state dinner was held at the Riga Castle, organized by the President of Latvia in honor of the visit of the Danish monarchs.
Out of the Courtyard! Andrew Is No Longer a Prince
Another prince has been ruined by his own debauched life and disregard for royal standards of behavior.
British King Charles III stripped his brother Andrew, embroiled in numerous scandals, of his title as prince. He will also have to leave his residence at Windsor Castle. This is how the king reacted to the revelations contained in the memoirs of American Virginia Giuffre, published after her death. In them, she accuses Andrew of having had sexual relations with her multiple times while she was a minor. All this was facilitated by the notorious Jeffrey Epstein.
Summit: A Handshake Across the Ocean
Donald Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time in six years. The meeting, according to Trump, went "wonderfully" — at "12 out of 10," but there was no press conference afterward. So far, the main outcome is the reduction of tariffs on Chinese goods by the U.S. from 57% to 47%.
What did Trump gain? He stated that "all issues regarding rare earth metals have been resolved."
Observers note that China demonstrated that it has a counter-leverage: tools that can hurt America. This primarily includes export control measures regarding critical minerals on which American industry, including the military-industrial complex, depends.
