Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Ready for yet another Riga mayoral change? Dainis Turlais was ousted by a no-confidence vote 21 days after his inauguration
If you’ve been looking for more high-stakes political drama in the Baltics, look no further – the mayor of Riga, Dainis Turlais, was removed from his post by a no-confidence vote in the City Council. He occupied the post for a total of 21 days.
You can catch up on the events in the Latvian capital from our previous publications on the topic – the suspension of former mayor Nils Ušakovs and his subsequent resignation to take up a seat in the European Parliament. For a brief backstory, long-serving mayor of Riga, Nils Ušakovs, was suspended by a ministerial decree due to allegations of corruption back in April. Following the 26 May European Parliamentary elections, he officially resigned from his post and headed to Brussels. His replacement, as agreed by coalition partners “Harmony” and “Honor to serve Riga”, was Dainis Turlais.
The days following Turlais’ election as mayor by the city council, however, were rocky at best. The biggest party in Riga, Harmony, imploded as a consequence of internal scandals and expelled 4 of its city council members. They in turn formed a new group within the local legislature called “Independent Deputies Faction” and called for the resignation of all local government officials. While calling for a snap election, they supported the opposition’s no-confidence vote.
Dainis Turlais has been pointed at as an embodiment of the corruption problems surrounding Riga’s mayoral post, as he was chair of the corruption prevention committee during the term of Nils Ušakovs. If the city council fails to elect a new mayor in the following two months, the Latvian parliament will be able to dissolve the city council and organize new elections. Former mayor Nils Ušakovs has as of yet not denied any intentions to again run for local government.
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
Two years after also being the first European country to decriminalize prostitution
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
The tests are also experimenting with a charging point that is easier to maintain
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
The ritual is more than 1000 years old and was originally performed by the Doges
Two years after also being the first European country to decriminalize prostitution
For English speakers that would be Saint Domnius, the patron saint of the Dalmatian capital
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team