The Economist
"As politicians’ credibility dwindles, Russian influence grows. A pro-Russian party won control of Riga last year. Latvia’s president, Valdis Zatlers, will go to the Soviet-tinged celebrations in Moscow on May 9th to mark the 65th anniversary of Victory Day. Hawks see this as a sell-out. A visit to Riga by Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, in April may be a step towards normal relations—or a sign that Russia sees Latvia as a swing state in the Baltic.

Even so, Latvia looks good when compared with Greece. It did not lie about its public finances or use accounting tricks. Strikes have been scanty. Protests are fought in the courts, not the streets. Both Greece and Latvia have had hard knocks, but Greeks became used to a good life that they are loth to give up. Latvians remain glad just to be on the map."