LATVIA: 1ST UPDATE:Russian Party Expected To Gain Voters In Today's Election.

NYTIMES/ Michael Schwirtz /
    In an election today, the Harmony Center party that appeals to the large Russian-speaking population here is predicted to be the largest vote getter after years of austerity measures from the economic crash. About 30 percent of Latvia’s 2.2 million people are Russian speakers
     Since 2008, Latvia’s GDP has declined by 25 percent while the unemployment rate soared to double digits, followed by
 rioting.

NYT UPDATE: 03 OCT:The ruling coalition won 30% of vote; joins with others for control;
Harmony Party garners 26%, somewhat less than expected.
 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/world/europe/03latvia.html?ref=todayspaper

Latvia Must Make Severe Cuts In Services To Gain Aid.

GLOBALPOST.COM.
The global recession has hit Latvia hard. Its GDP DROPPED by 19 percent in the second quarter of 2009 and the IMF projected that Latvia will suffer the world's WORST DOWNTURN this year. Because of it, Latvia got an emergency loan package of nearly $10 billion from the IMF and EU. But the aid is contingent on SEVERE cuts in government spending and services.