On November 26, the general meeting of the Latvian Academy of Sciences may consider the request of Academy Ivars Kalviņš to be relieved of his position. Kalviņš decided to withdraw himself from the position of president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences following demands for his resignation regarding the citizenship of Indian scientist Vishwanatha.
The Saeima initially adopted a law granting Vishwanath citizenship for special merits on October 15. Parliament revoked that decision just one week later on October 22 after public doubts surfaced regarding her scientific publications, educational background, and the overall grounds for her naturalization. The Prosecutor General’s Office has since opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the citizenship granted to both Vishwanath and her spouse, Kannan Vishwanath, examining the Academy’s systematic involvement in the process.
Half a Billion Euros Missing from National Budget
While the scientific institution faces a leadership crisis, the country confronts a severe financial shortfall. Janis Hermanis, an expert from the Latvian Confederation of Employers, warned in a TV-24 interview that Latvia must either cut half a billion euros or generate equivalent revenue. Hermanis noted that the national budget deficit is compounded by a negative fiscal space and heavy financial pressures from the Rail Baltica project, airBaltic, and European Union climate policy requirements.
Public Transport Fares and Route Cuts on the Table
Domestically, the Ministry of Transport is weighing three financing scenarios for public transport from 2027 through 2030. The preferred option requires an additional 15 million euros annually from the state budget, which would preserve the current route network and benefit system while raising average ticket prices by 10 percent. Without extra funding, the ministry warns that state compensation for discounted travel could cap at 70 percent.
Common Questions About the Political and Financial Shifts in Latvia
- Why did Ivars Kalviņš request to be relieved of his position as president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences?
- Kalviņš requested to be relieved of his position after public doubts emerged regarding the credentials of Indian researcher Divya Vishwanath, whom the Academy recommended for Latvian citizenship for special merits.
- How many illegal border crossings has Latvia recorded from Belarus?
- State Border Guard statistics cited by President Edgars Rinkēvičs show that Latvia has prevented nearly 13,000 illegal crossing attempts from Belarus.
- What are the projected funding gaps facing the national transport sector?
- The Ministry of Transport reports that base funding from the state budget remains at 93.8 million euros, while projected costs for 2026 reach approximately 109.9 million euros, leaving a significant shortfall covered partly by contingency funds.