Latvia Weekly

With school beginning again in person despite some uncertainty due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Joe invites three of his students and one of his colleagues to discuss how they feel about the new study year and a number of other important stories from throughout the last two weeks.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission.

Join Otto as he takes a special look at the results of the Rīga City Council extraordinary election, discussing the events of the last few days, breaking down how each party did, and predicting the future coalition which is expected to elect Mārtiņš Staķis as the new mayor of Rīga.

Join Otto and Joe as they take a look through the week's most important stories such as the ongoing violence in Belarus, the opening of a self-driving bus route in Jelgava, a return of vehicular traffic to Tērbatas iela, an apparent pay raise for lecturers this September, and more!

Although Latvia's COVID situation resembles more of the tiny waves seen in a lake on a breezy day than the large "second wave" people have long feared, not everyone agrees about the best way to move forward with the school year imminent. Kārlis and Patrīcija join Joe to discuss the latest situation as well as a number of other news stories from throughout the week including self-driving buses in Jelgava, large amounts of confiscated marijuana, and a surprise exit by one of Latvia's most famous athletes.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission.

Kārlis Streips joins Otto and Joe on a rainy afternoon for a jumbo-sized episode where they discuss a number of different topics including brand new polling data in the Rīga City Council elections, a presidential proposal to move public media away from ad revenue, a new way to find fresh food, plans for a new major wind farm, updates to the COVID situation, and much more!

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Otto and Joe return for part two of their series breaking down the Rīga City Council elections, this time looking at the parties not currently in city council who are attempting to get elected into it. Parties covered in this episode include:

Politiskā partija "Alternative"

Politiskā partija "KPV LV"

Jaunā Saskaņa

Zaļo un Zemnieku savienība

"Latvijas Krievu savienība"

Partija "Vienoti Latvijai"

Nacionālā Savienība TAISNĪGUMS

Rīcības partija

"Centra Partija"

Music: "Prelude" by Yakov Golman: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Yakov_Golman/Piano__orchestra_1/Yakov_Golman_-_Prelude

In the first installment of their guide to the 2020 Rīga City Council Elections, Otto and Joe take a look at the programs of the six parties who are already in the council, as well as explain a bit about their backgrounds.

Parties covered:

"Saskaņa" sociāldemokrātiskā partija

Partija "Gods kalpot Rīgai"

Jaunā konservatīvā partija

Nacionālā apvienība "Visu Latvijai!"-"Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK", Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība

Attīstībai/Par!, "PROGRESĪVIE"

Jaunā VIENOTĪBA

Music: "Prelude" by Yakov Golman: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Yakov_Golman/Piano__orchestra_1/Yakov_Golman_-_Prelude

Kārlis Streips joins Joe on a sweltering summer afternoon to discuss major happenings throughout Latvia such as the ministry's hot-off-the-press plans "A, B, and C" to return Latvia to school, the blockbuster new EU budget, another planned teachers' strike, renovations for train stations, and, of course, the latest COVID situation.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

Daudz laimes dzimšanas dienā! In honor of Kārlis Streips' birthday, we are uploading an interview Joe did with our esteemed co-host about the many hats he has worn in Latvian media, his experience moving to Latvia from America and then living in Rīga throughout the entire post-occupation period, and his work as a literature translator.

The Summer of COVID in Latvia continues without any major spikes in cases so far, but the pandemic situation remains just as unpredictable as the upcoming Rīga City Council election, or the weather for that matter. Join Otto and Joe as they manage to talk through the latest developments while looking after Joe's newborn daughter, and find out why Koknese might be the best Latvian town worth visiting this summer!

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am