LW's Guide to the 2026 Election

Joe is joined by Ņikita Andrejevs of Latvijas Radio to discuss major events over the last few weeks such as the glacial coalition formation process, staff changes for Andris Kulbergs, a catastrophic granting (and ungranting) of citizenship, more painful news for Air Baltic, dreams of a new fotball stadium, 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 Photo Credit: Ann Douglas https://www.flickr.com/photos/anndouglas/247730111

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

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