Latvia
Voters will want fresh answers to Latvia’s stagnation
A record-low election turnout (54.6%) and turn to new parties suggest disillusion with the established political elite
LatviaLatvian banks face tighter scrutiny and some may merge
The closure of a large commercial bank and allegations against the central bank governor have rocked the banking system
LatviaCentral bank arrest will rock Latvian finance sector
Credibility of Latvian financial sector is again in doubt after corruption agency goes after central bank chief
LatviaMacroprudential policy may slow Baltic price rises
Baltic inflation rates are outpacing those in the euro-area by a wide margin
Baltic statesBaltic inflation may stay higher than in euro-area
High producer prices with lagged effect suggest Baltic inflation may stay out of line with rest of EU-19
Baltic statesUS military spending will increase for NATO’s east
The United States seeks to reassure Eastern European allies of Washington’s commitment to their security
United StatesNew Baltic railway will run on standard gauge
Rail Baltica will reduce environmental pollution by transferring freight from road to rail
Baltic statesRisks mean euro-area QE is set to continue to end-2017
Consumer prices rose by the most in nearly four years in January but stripped of energy, inflation is much more modest
Europe
