This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7869670.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Minister quits amid Latvian anger | Minister quits amid Latvian anger |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The agriculture minister of Latvia has been forced to resign in the wake of growing protests by farmers, while the government faces a no-confidence vote. | The agriculture minister of Latvia has been forced to resign in the wake of growing protests by farmers, while the government faces a no-confidence vote. |
| Minister Martins Roze announced his resignation even as the cabinet agreed a big rescue package for farmers. | Minister Martins Roze announced his resignation even as the cabinet agreed a big rescue package for farmers. |
| On Tuesday they picketed the agriculture ministry and delivered cows' heads in a coffin. | On Tuesday they picketed the agriculture ministry and delivered cows' heads in a coffin. |
| Latvia has faced growing public discontent following its economy's headlong plummet from boom to bust. | Latvia has faced growing public discontent following its economy's headlong plummet from boom to bust. |
| Until recently the Baltic nation had racked up one of the fastest growth rates in the European Union - but faced accompanying problems like rampant wage growth, a vertiginous rise in house prices and rapid inflation. | Until recently the Baltic nation had racked up one of the fastest growth rates in the European Union - but faced accompanying problems like rampant wage growth, a vertiginous rise in house prices and rapid inflation. |
| In recent months, however, the economy has gone sharply into reverse, and is expected to contract by at least 5% this year. | In recent months, however, the economy has gone sharply into reverse, and is expected to contract by at least 5% this year. |
| Just about every interest group blames the government for making the economic crisis worse Mark MardellBBC Europe editor Mardell: Protests rock Latvia class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7869639.stm">Industrial unrest in Europe | |
| Last month hundreds of demonstrators clashed with riot police in Latvia's capital, Riga. | Last month hundreds of demonstrators clashed with riot police in Latvia's capital, Riga. |
| It followed a peaceful rally in which some 10,000 people accused the government of economic mismanagement and demanded new elections. | It followed a peaceful rally in which some 10,000 people accused the government of economic mismanagement and demanded new elections. |
| Angry farmers have been demanding more state support, and on Tuesday picketed the agriculture ministry and blocked a main road into Riga. | Angry farmers have been demanding more state support, and on Tuesday picketed the agriculture ministry and blocked a main road into Riga. |
| The government agreed to a farm aid package worth 27m lats (39m euros, £34m), but Martins Roze, who accused the farmers of being motivated by politics not economics, resigned. | The government agreed to a farm aid package worth 27m lats (39m euros, £34m), but Martins Roze, who accused the farmers of being motivated by politics not economics, resigned. |
| The government itself faces a vote of confidence on Wednesday. | The government itself faces a vote of confidence on Wednesday. |
| The four parties in the governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis, have been beset by internal fighting. | The four parties in the governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis, have been beset by internal fighting. |