At the Council meeting of the Student Union of Latvia (LSA) on April 11, two Vice Presidents were elected. Luīze Driķīte will serve as Vice President for Policy Affairs starting from May 12, while Paula Vikaine will continue to hold the position of Vice President for Organisational Affairs. Luīze Driķīte has not previously held positions within LSA; however, she has been actively involved in the RSU Student Union for several years, including three years as a member of its board, where she led the international, social, and external affairs areas. In addition, she has served for several years as an LSA Council member representing the RSU Student Union. In her candidacy,…

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the 31st Congress of the Student Union of Latvia (LSA) took place at the University of Latvia, where the organization’s members elected a new president. With 105 votes in favor, 1 vote against, and no abstentions, Luīze Monta Remese was confirmed in the position. This will be Remese’s first term as LSA President, beginning April 14 of this year. “Representing students’ interests at the national level requires a clear focus and consistent action. As president, I will prioritise strengthening the quality of studies, creating a respectful and safe study environment, addressing the availability and quality of student dormitories, ensuring the full inclusion of international students, and…

One application has been received for the position of President of the Student Union of Latvia (LSA). The application was submitted by a student of Rīga Stradiņš University and the current LSA Public Policy Coordinator, Luīze Monta Remese, for the presidential election at the 31st regular LSA Congress, which will take place on March 14 at 12:00 at the University of Latvia Academic Centre, Jelgavas Street 1. The candidate emphasizes in her operational vision the need to closely follow national-level issues and purposefully represent students’ interests. She highlights the importance of bringing student interests onto the political agenda, identifying the improvement of the quality and accessibility of student dormitories as one…

The European Students’ Union (ESU) and the Student Union of Latvia (Latvijas Studentu apvienība – LSA) express deep concern over ongoing discussions in the Parliament of Latvia (Saeima) regarding a possible withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, commonly known as the Istanbul Convention. Such a step would mark a serious setback for Latvia’s human rights commitments, undermine trust in European cooperation, and contradict the shared democratic and rule-of-law principles on which the European Union and the Council of Europe are built. Latvia’s ratification of the Istanbul Convention in January 2024 represented an important milestone in strengthening national protection against domestic…

At the rescheduled emergency Council meeting of the Student Union of Latvia (LSA) on April 26, 2025, two new Vice Presidents were elected in accordance with the organization’s newly implemented board model. Rūdolfs Aleksandrs Strods was appointed Vice President for Policy Affairs, while Paula Vikaine was elected Vice President for Organizational Affairs. Changes in the Board Structure The new LSA board model, which will take effect on April 28, 2025, introduces significant changes to the composition of the board. These changes have been implemented in response to longstanding challenges and an imbalanced distribution of responsibilities. From now on, the LSA board will consist of three members – the President and two…

The debate over the “Studētgods” stipend fund has intensified as the Latvian Ministry of Finance (FM) and the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) proposed reducing its funding by over 2.6 million euros, affecting socially vulnerable student groups. The “Studētgods” stipend is currently the only state-provided financial support based on social criteria, targeting students from large families, those with disabilities, orphans, and students with limited parental support. The Student Union of Latvia (LSA) has voiced concerns over the negative impact of these cuts, arguing that they will force vulnerable students to abandon their studies. LSA previously called for increasing the stipend amount from €175 to €200 and expanding its eligibility to…

The Student Union of Latvia (LSA) conducted a survey between August 13 and 28, focusing on students’ views regarding the National Defense Service (NDS). The goal was to assess risks related to NDS and evaluate student awareness of available support. The survey results revealed significant gaps in public knowledge about alternative service options, training, and support mechanisms. LSA urges the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to expand alternative service opportunities, increase monthly compensation, and provide budgetary support for students completing NDS training, without affecting existing higher education funding. Respondents expressed concern that NDS conscription disrupts academic progress, particularly for those already enrolled in higher education. LSA recommends excluding students from mandatory conscription…