Juris Bunkis, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Latvia in California

05/28/2026

Polling Stations for Oct 3 Election Confirmed:

15th Saeima Election Polling Stations in the United States Confirmed
The Central Election Commission of Latvia has officially confirmed the polling stations for the 15th Saeima elections in the United States, giving Latvian citizens broad opportunities to participate in the parliamentary elections on October 3, 2026.
The opportunity to vote in person at diaspora polling stations is a privilege and a strong testament to the activity and civic engagement of our community. Every polling station established is the result of the dedication, initiative, and hard work of Latvian communities across the United States. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity and help shape Latvia’s future.
In-person voting will be available at:
• Embassy of Latvia in Washington, DC
• Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations in New York, New York
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Denver, Colorado
• San Francisco, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
• Seattle, Washington
• Chicago, Illinois
We are especially pleased to announce four newly established polling stations this year:
• San Diego, California
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Houston, Texas
• Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona
We encourage all eligible voters to verify now that they have a valid Latvian passport or other acceptable identification document required for voting. Having your documents in order ahead of time will help ensure a smooth voting experience on election day.
In the coming months, we will also begin sharing informational materials about political parties, their platforms, and the voting process to help diaspora voters prepare for the 15th Saeima elections.
Latvia is stronger when all of us participate - including those of us living beyond its borders.

05/26/2026

Film shot in Latvia won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival

This is the first feature film by Zvyagintsev in almost ten years. The plot is based on Claude Chabrol's film "The Unfaithful Wife" (1968). It tells the story of a businessman who, in 2022, faces the necessity of providing the military enlistment

05/26/2026

Bi-Weekly update: April 27 – May 25
by the Treasury of the Republic of Latvia

FINANCING AND DEBT

• On May 7, domestic GMTN Notes due on January 24, 2032 were offered in a competitive multi-price auction via Primary dealers. Notes were sold in nominal value of EUR 50 million and the total demand reached EUR 136.6 million. The weighted average yield rate was 3.249%. (May 7, Treasury)

MACROECONOMICS

• Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that, compared to March 2025, in March 2026 total retail trade turnover increased by 3.9 %. (May 7, Treasury)
• Latvia receives fourth Recovery and Resilience Facility payment of €371.2 million. The payment was made after the European Commission (EC) assessed and approved the successful implementation of the 41 reform and investment indicators set out in Latvia’s RRF plan, for which Latvia’s payment request and supporting documents were submitted to the EC at the end of 2025. (May 8, M*F)
• Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in Latvia 871.2 thousand people, or 63.8 % of the population aged 15–74, were employed in Q1 2026. (May 22,CSB)
• The data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in April 2026, compared to March 2026, the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.6 %. The rise in prices of clothing and footwear, as well as in transport group, mainly of fuels for transport, contributed the most to the price change. (May 12,CSB)

POLITICS
• Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced her resignation on May 14, and informed President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa about it. (May 14, CoM only in Latvian)
• On May 16, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with representatives of all Saeima factions – “Progressives,” “Latvia First,” “National Alliance,” “United List,” “New Unity,” and “Union of Greens and Farmers” – and, invited Andris Kulbergs (“United List”) to form new Cabinet of Ministers. (May 16, President of Latvia)

05/24/2026

In Latvia today, “Vasarsvētki” refers to the Christian holiday of Pentecost or Whitsunday — the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, occurring 50 days after Easter.

However, in Latvian culture it has evolved into something broader and more characteristically Latvian than simply a church observance.

Traditionally, Vasarsvētki signifies:

the arrival of true summer,
renewal and light,
greenery and fertility,
and the transition from spring into the warm season.

Historically and culturally, Latvians blended Christian observances with older pre-Christian seasonal traditions, so Vasarsvētki has both:

a religious dimension,
and a folk/nature-centered atmosphere.

Common traditions included:

decorating homes and churches with birch branches and greenery,
spending time outdoors,
church services,
family gatherings,
and folk beliefs tied to health, fertility, and prosperity.

Today, though, Vasarsvētki is generally considered:

quieter,
less nationally dominant,
and less exuberant than Latvia’s great midsummer celebration, Jāņi/Līgo in June.

For many Latvians now:

religious families may attend church,
others simply enjoy a spring/summer holiday weekend,
and the day carries a gentle “green holiday” feeling associated with nature and the countryside.

By contrast, the truly major Latvian seasonal celebration is:

Jāņi / Līgo Svētki (June 23–24),
the ancient summer solstice festival with bonfires, wreaths, songs, beer, Jāņu cheese, and staying awake until sunrise.

So, in modern Latvian consciousness:

Vasarsvētki = Pentecost, greenery, beginning of summer, quieter family/church holiday.
Jāņi / Līgo = Latvia’s great national midsummer festival and one of the central expressions of Latvian folk identity.

1167 atzīmes Patīk, 132 komentāri. “ /vasaras svētki/apsveikumi/”

05/18/2026

Latvian films, talent and locations are on full display at Cannes this year. Directed by Viesturs Kairišs, the coming-of-age basketball drama Ulya is screening in Un Certain Regard, supported by the National Film Centre of Latvia (NFC) as a Latvian majority co-¬production led by Guntis Trekteris from Ego Media. The co-producers are Ieva Norviliene from Lithuania’s Tremora, Pille Rünk for Estonia’s All Film and Malgorzata Staron for Poland’s Staron-Film.

Latvian films, talent and locations are on full display at Cannes this year, with coming-of-age basketball drama 'Ulya' screening in Un Certain Regard.

04/27/2026

Bi-Weekly update: April 12 – 26
by the Treasury of the Republic of Latvia

FINANCING AND DEBT
• On April 15, domestic GMTN Notes due on May 21, 2030 were offered in a competitive multi-price auction via Primary dealers. Notes were sold in nominal value of EUR 100 million and the total demand reached EUR 245.2 million. The weighted average yield rate was 3.107%. (Apr 15, Treasury)

CREDIT RATING
• Fitch Ratings affirms Latvia`s credit rating at A- with stable outlook. (Apr 26, Treasury)
• Japanese credit rating agency R&I affirmed Latvia's credit rating at A level with stable outlook. (Apr 27, Treasury)

MACROECONOMICS
• Provisional results (according to European System of Accounts (ESA 2010) methodology) compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 2025, general government budget deficit amounted to EUR 1.1 billion or 2.5 % of gross domestic product (GDP). Compared to 2024, it is EUR 367 million more. In turn, general government consolidated gross debt accounted for EUR 20.2 billion or 46.9 % of GDP, and during a year it has increased by EUR 1.4 billion. (April 22, CSB)

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04/20/2026

Successful trip to Washington DC for the Annual Latvian Consuls Meeting, details attached.

https://orangecountyplasticsurgery.com/breast-implant-replacement-when-is-it-time/

04/13/2026

Bi-Weekly update: March 30 – April 12
by the Treasury of the Republic of Latvia

BUDGET

• On Tuesday, 14 April, the Cabinet of Ministers will review the 2026 Progress Report on Latvia’s Fiscal-Structural Plan for 2025–2028, prepared by the Ministry of Finance (M*F) in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics. The baseline macroeconomic development scenario projects an acceleration of Latvia’s economic growth to 2.6% in 2026, with growth expected to remain at a similar level in the following years. The general government budget deficit for 2026 is projected at 3% of GDP. In 2027, it is projected at 4.0% of GDP, in 2028 at 5.1% of GDP, in 2029 at 4.2% of GDP, and in 2030 at 3.4% of GDP. The higher deficit compared to previously planned levels is mainly due to additional public expenditure on national defence. (April 13, M*F (only Latvian))

MACROECONOMICS

• Central Statistical Bureau calendar adjusted data at constant prices show that in February 2026 industrial production output increased by 4.0 % year-on-year. Output in electricity and gas supply rose by 24.6 %, whereas in manufacturing it fell by 2.2 % and in mining and quarrying it dropped by 37.2 %. (April 7, CSB)
• Provisional data of CSB show that in February 2026 Latvia had foreign trade turnover of EUR 3.44 billion (at current prices 1.5 % more than a year ago), of which value of exported goods reduced by 5.0 % and of imported goods went up by 7.5 %. In February Latvia exported goods in the amount of EUR 1.55 billion, but imported – in the amount of EUR 1.88 billion. (April 9, CSB)
• The data of CSB show that in March 2026, compared to February 2026, the average level of consumer prices increased by 1.9 %. The rise in prices in transport group, mainly fuels for transport, as well as clothing and footwear, contributed the most to the price change. Compared to March 2025, in March 2026 the average level of consumer prices increased by 3.4 %. (April 10, CSB)

04/03/2026

LATVIA - "You are digital, fast and efficient."

The forum and the Commissioner’s visit are taking place at a crucial moment. The “EU Inc.” initiative and the European strategic roadmap for the full completion of the single market by 2028 could soon

04/02/2026

Bi-Weekly update: March 9 – 27
by the Treasury of the Republic of Latvia

BUDGET

• On Thursday, March 26th, the Saeima supported amendments to the National Defence Financing Law in its final reading, which mean national defence spending must be equivalent to at least 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) every year from 2027. (Mar 26, Saeima (only in Latvian))

MACROECONOMICS

• Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that 883.1 thousand people in Latvia, or 64.5 % of the population aged 15–74, were employed in 2025. Compared with 2024, employment rate increased slightly, by 0.6 percentage points 1, and number of employed persons rose by 5.6 thousand. (Feb 23, CSB)
• Data compiled by CSB show that in 2025, compared to 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 2.1 %. Last year GDP at current prices amounted to EUR 43.0 billion. Manufacturing and construction sectors contributed the most to the annual GDP growth. (Feb 27, CSB)
• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has raised its economic growth forecasts for Latvia for this year by 2.2 percent, comparing to growth forecast - 1.9 percent – estimated in September. (Feb 26, EBRD)
• Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) compiled by CSB show that, compared to January 2025, in January 2026 total retail trade turnover rose by 6.1 %. Retail sale of food products decreased by 1.7 %. Retail trade in non-food products (except for retail sale of automotive fuel) increased by 9.5 %, but turnover of retail sale of automotive fuel – by 11.4 %. (Feb 27, CSB)

03/10/2026

Bi-Weekly update: February 23 – March 6
by the Treasury of the Republic of Latvia

MACROECONOMICS

• Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that 883.1 thousand people in Latvia, or 64.5 % of the population aged 15–74, were employed in 2025. Compared with 2024, employment rate increased slightly, by 0.6 percentage points 1, and number of employed persons rose by 5.6 thousand. (Feb 23, CSB)
• Data compiled by CSB show that in 2025, compared to 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 2.1 %. Last year GDP at current prices amounted to EUR 43.0 billion. Manufacturing and construction sectors contributed the most to the annual GDP growth. (Feb 27, CSB)
• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has raised its economic growth forecasts for Latvia for this year by 2.2 percent, comparing to growth forecast - 1.9 percent – estimated in September. (Feb 26, EBRD)
• Calendar adjusted data (at constant prices) compiled by CSB show that, compared to January 2025, in January 2026 total retail trade turnover rose by 6.1 %. Retail sale of food products decreased by 1.7 %. Retail trade in non-food products (except for retail sale of automotive fuel) increased by 9.5 %, but turnover of retail sale of automotive fuel – by 11.4 %. (Feb 27, CSB)