2009 Riga riot

The 2009 Riga riot was an outbreak of civil unrest in Riga, Latvia on January 13th, 2009 lasting for 3 hours following the economic downturn of the 2008 Latvian financial crisis as well as political discontent with the Latvian government's continued pursuance of austerity policies. Around ten thousand people gathered for anti-government protests which eventually became violent. The 2009 Riga riot was the worst outbreak of violence in Latvia since 1991 when Latvia declared independence from the Soviet Union.[1][2]

2009 Riga Riot
DateJanuary 13, 2009
Location
Riga, Latvia
Caused byThe 2008 Latvian financial crisis and government austerity policies.
GoalsDissolution of the Saeima by the President of Latvia, early elections.
Casualties
InjuriesAt least 25.
Arrested126
DamagePublic and private property.

Background

Prior to the riot, the All for Latvia party organized a rally demanding that the President of Latvia dissolve the Saeima as well as call early elections.[3] Protesters were concerned mainly with the competence of their political administration, corruption, and the economic downturn caused by the 2008 Latvian financial crisis. The financial crisis resulted in a recession and an unemployment crisis after Latvia had been the fastest growing economy in Europe for multiple consecutive years.[4]

Riot

After the crowd had become violent some attempted to storm the Saeima before being repulsed by riot police with mace, truncheons, and tear gas. After the failed attempt at storming the parliament ice, rocks, and other debris was thrown at government buildings as well as law enforcement. After the rioters had been dispersed by police they regrouped at Vecrīga where the smashing of windows as well as the looting of shops began.[2][5]

Aftermath

Following the riot 126 people were arrested and at least 25 injured, although these numbers are disputed.[2][4][5] On February 20, the cabinet of Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis was dissolved and Godmanis resigned his position as head of the government.[6] Similar protests took place in Vilnius, Lithuania 3 days after the protest in Riga, these protests ended in similar riots.[7]

The Social Democratic Party "Harmony" gained considerable popularity after the riots.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Untold Stories: Latvia Moves Leftward in Recent Elections". Archived from the original on 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-11-09.
  2. "Latvian anti-government protest turns into riot". Reuters. 2009-01-13. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  3. "Visu Latvijai!". Archived from the original on 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
  4. Barry, Ellen (2009-01-14). "Latvia Is Shaken by Riots Over Its Weak Economy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  5. "Anti-government rioting hits Riga". 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  6. "Crisis and Rallies Removed the Latvian Government" Archived 2009-06-05 at the Wayback Machine (in Polish)
  7. Juska, Arunas; Woolfson, Charles (2012-05-01). "Policing political protest in Lithuania". Crime, Law and Social Change. 57 (4): 403–424. doi:10.1007/s10611-012-9363-4. ISSN 1573-0751.


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