Latvia Weekly

By Latvia WeeklyNews

Latvia Weekly episodes

October 09 October 8th, 2026: Kulberg's Historic Weekend, It's Not Easy Being Green(s and Farmers), Air Baltic Layoffs, and Bothersome Bridges
With the 15th Saeima Election done and dusted, Joe breaks down the final results, including Andris Kulbergs' historic victory at the top of the United List ticket, a big not not quite big enough night for Ainars Šlesers's LPV party, dissapointment for the Progressives and New Unity, disaster for the Union of Greens and Farmers, and the likely last gasps of Harmony and JKP. Other stories include planned layoffs at Air Baltic, more planned bridge renovation, and a renewed focus on mental health by public media.
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
Photo credit: Reinis Inkēns, used with a Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0 license vis Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Andris_Kulbergs#/media/File:Saeimas_26.apr%C4%AB%C4%BCa_%C4%81rk%C4%81rtas_s%C4%93de_(52847902168).jpg
1 hr 5 min
September 27 September 27th, 2026: The Final Countdown, Rail Baltic Reality, and Heating Price Headaches
With one week to go until the thrilling conclusion of the 2026 Saeima Election, Joe breaks down major developments such as new revelations about candidates, security concerns about election officials, and the final polling data before looking at other major stories of the week.
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
The Latvia Weekly free election tool: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Pw5VtlFGjHrsTLWoQFE07xniWFMxqZ5OiXzJDFMK-I0/edit?usp=sharing
47 min
September 19 September 19th, 2026: Air Bankrupt, Ministerial DUI Fallout, and NATO Support for Latvia
Joe discusses the fallout from Air Baltic's bankruptcy proceedings, as well as other major stories such as the DUI arrest of a minister, the surprise cancelling of a wind farm, NATO air support for Latvia, and much more!
Image: Aleksandrs Samuilovs, via Wikimedia Commons using a Creative Commons 3.0 license https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AirBaltic_Boeing_757-200_at_RIX.jpg
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
46 min
September 05 LW's Guide to the 2026 Election
Link to the LW Election Guide spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Pw5VtlFGjHrsTLWoQFE07xniWFMxqZ5OiXzJDFMK-I0/edit?usp=sharing
Joe breaks down the 15th Saeima (parliament) election party-by-party after giving a basic overview of how the election on October 3rd works, including party platforms and current polling data.
1 hr 35 min
August 24 August 24th, 2026: Blowin' In the Wind, CSDD Fallout, Air Baltic Rescue, and Counterfeiter's Plans Up in Smoke
Joe is back from a summer break to break down the continuing fallout from Cyclone Priska's tour of destruction throughout Latvia, calling into Gary Dickenson near Valmiera and Kris Akenfelds in Liepāja to hear how they fared the storm before covering other major stories of the week.
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
58 min
July 17 July 10th, 2026: Vanšu Bridge Closure Concerns, Air Baltic Debt Doubts, and Justice for Jelgava's Flower Thieves
As Latvia gets ready for another weekend of summery weather, Joe talks through major stories such as the completion of a not-fully-usable new Central Station rail terminal, more financial fears for Air Baltic, the potential closure of one of Rīga's busiest bridges to personal traffic during renovations, 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
Image credit: Juris Seņņikovs via Wikimedia Commons, used with a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Van%C5%A1u_tilts_-_panoramio_%282%29.jpg
39 min
July 10 July 10th, 2026: Road Ruffians, Election Season Kickoff, NATO Promises, and Avoiding Burnout(s)
Joe is back with a full-length episode to discuss the opening of the election season with party lists submited, new polling data out, and a full month of the new coalition having gone by. Also, Gary Dickenson of Baltic Homesteaders once again calls in to update us on how his homestead has fared the massive rain that's hit Latvia over the past week.
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
58 min
June 23 June 23rd, 2026: Midsummer Greetings
Līgo Līgo! As Joe was looking for oak branches this morning, he recorded a midsummer-themed mini episode, with Gary from Baltic Homesteaders also calling in with greetings!
15 min
June 16 June 16th 2026: Student Perspective on the News and Voicemail from Vidzeme
For this mini-episode, Joe is joined by two of his students, Divs and Marja, to give their perspectives on some of the biggest stories such as the drone incursions into Latvia and the upcoming election in October, while Gary gives an update on his Baltic Homestead.
Image credit: Pixabay
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
30 min
May 28 May 28th, 2026: New Government, New Threats, and Hockey Hopes
Joe recaps the collapse of the Siliņa government and the lightning-fast coalition formation process that has left Andris Kulbergs on the cusp of becoming the next prime minister, as well as other stories such as the arrest of high-level officials over alleged corruption in the forestry industry, continued drone incursions into Latvia, success (so far) at the international ice hockey championship, and much more!
Photo credit: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima
Used with a creatice commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/saeima/52916581420/
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
43 min