COVID-19 surge spreads across Europe
While Britain and Eastern Europe are particularly hard hit, with hundreds of deaths every day, the number of cases is again growing across the entire continent.
•Johannes Stern, Alex Lantier
Latvia
European Medicines Agency continues to endorse the safety of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
A succession of European countries have suspended their vaccination programs pending further investigation into concerns over blood clots developing in people recently vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine.
•Benjamin Mateus
Biden’s blank check to the Baltic states: US will wage war on Russia in your defense
Vice President Biden said Washington’s commitment to militarily defend the tiny states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia was a matter of America’s “sacred honor.”
•Andre Damon
Atlantic Council proposes to develop Poland as a stronghold for war with Russia
The American think tank has published a 25-page strategy paper titled “Arming for Deterrence” calling for a massive NATO military build-up against Russia.
•Clara Weiss
NATO orders four additional battalions to Russian border
The deployments are among the most provocative actions taken by the NATO high command in the course of its anti-Russian buildup, now well into its second year.
•Thomas Gaist
Latvian Greens and neo-fascists in coalition
Maris Kucinskis of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) is poised to head a new governing coalition in Latvia.
•Markus Salzmann
Latvian government resigns under pressure from pro-austerity right
Sections of the Latvian elite and the European Union regard Unity leader Straujuma as incapable of enforcing another round of massive cuts.
•Markus Salzmann
Latvia’s new government promotes austerity policies and war propaganda
In her acceptance speech, Laimdota Straujuma praised the austerity measures imposed in Latvia since 2009.
•Markus Salzmann
Right-wing governing coalition wins parliamentary elections in Latvia
Laimdota Straujuma’s declared goals are a continuation of severe austerity measures and an intensification of the confrontation with Russia.
•Markus Salzmann
Latvian Prime Minister Dombrovskis resigns
The prime minister’s resignation was likely a political manoeuvre, using the supermarket collapse tragedy in Riga as a pretext to make way for a more stable government.
•Markus Salzmann
Latvia: At least 54 dead in supermarket collapse
There are indications that corruption and spending cuts are among the causes of the collapse of the two-year-old building.
•Markus Salzmann
The consequences of austerity in Latvia
In the midst of deepening social distress, Latvia has been praised by numerous institutions and the media as a role model for the success of austerity policies.
•Markus Salzmann
Former Nazi soldier appointed to Latvian parliamentary committee
A former member of the National Socialist Waffen SS has been elected chairman of a parliamentary committee of the Latvian government.
•Markus Salzmann
Elections in Latvia—austerity course to be continued
The elections in Latvia this weekend take place against the background of a deep economic, political and social crisis.
•Markus Salzmann
Twenty years since declaring independence from the USSR
Austerity in Latvia: a warning to the international working class
Twenty years after declaring independence from the USSR, the Latvian government is carrying out savage austerity measures in collusion with international financial elite and their representatives in the IMF, the European Union, and the government in Riga.
•Niall Green
Deepening economic crisis in eastern Europe
Recent reports indicate that the economies of many central and eastern European states are headed for new shocks.
•Markus Salzmann
Latvian government resigns as crisis deepens in Eastern Europe
Latvia’s centre-right government resigned last Friday, against the background of a worsening economic crisis.
•Markus Salzmann
Latvia rocked by protests
On January 13, Riga, the capital of the Baltic state of Latvia, was rocked by protests and demonstrations which left around 25 people injured following clashes with police. Police made an estimated 106 arrests.
•Stefan Steinberg
Latvia bailed out by IMF and European Union
On December 23 the International Monetary Fund approved a €1.68 billion (US$2.35 billion) rescue loan for the ex-Soviet republic of Latvia, as part of a €7.5 billion (US$10.5 billion) bailout.
•Niall Green
Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
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