00:00They are hard, heavy and built to last.
00:05These so-called dragon's teeth are being made from concrete on the outskirts of Riga.
00:12In the event of war, they are designed to slow an advancing enemy.
00:17Their production is one of the measures Latvia is taking to strengthen its defenses.
00:22Security has become a key issue in the upcoming parliamentary election.
00:27And it's good for business at this concrete plant.
00:32Today we have significantly more orders directly related to military needs.
00:36We would much rather be building schools and kindergartens.
00:39But unfortunately, the situation is what it is.
00:42So we're using our expertise where it's most needed right now.
00:46Fourteen parties are competing for seats in the Sejma, Latvia's parliament, in the October 3rd election.
00:52Among them is the united list of incumbent Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs,
00:58campaigning here in Riga.
01:00His party currently leads the polls.
01:02This is the main thing for us.
01:04We are dealing with different aggression forms every day.
01:10The biggest threat is our neighbour.
01:12It's Russia and Belarus.
01:14That's why also in our program this is the first point that we are speaking about.
01:19Latvia shares more than 450 kilometers of border with Russia and Belarus.
01:25Its border guards have been reinforced by the military and police.
01:30Dragon's teeth produced at the concrete factory near Riga can already be seen along roads in the border region.
01:37Part of Latvia's preparations for a possible military attack.
01:41These wide concrete islands surrounded by the greenery you can often see at the side of the roads when travelling
01:50through this border area.
01:51In the event of an evasion, they are supposed to block the roads as quickly as possible and prevent the
01:59enemy vehicles from passing.
02:01Most of Latvia's political parties see Russia as the main military threat.
02:06But they disagree on how far Latvia should go in cutting its remaining ties with Moscow.
02:13One of the opposition parties is Latvia First, which is currently pulling above the threshold needed to enter parliament.
02:20Well, there is one party, for example, Latvia First, which is a populist party, which is standing strongly against cutting
02:29ties to Russia and Belarus.
02:31So they are arguing that this is business, business as usual.
02:34Latvia First describes its position as a pragmatic approach intended to protect the Latvian economy.
02:41Russia was one of Latvia's major trading partners before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
02:48Since then, trade has fallen sharply as Latvia and the European Union imposed sanctions.
02:54But some goods from Russia and Belarus still transit Latvia, including grain.
03:00Latvia First argues that this transit should continue.
03:04But it opposes broader economic ties with Russia.
03:09As long as the war in Ukraine continues, any relations are impossible.
03:14People we spoke to in Riga were also opposed to restoring ties with Russia under current circumstances.
03:22I do not support Russia's actions. I'm absolutely against them.
03:26And even the thought of it makes me angry.
03:31In the current situation, that would be absolutely unthinkable.
03:36For any kind of relationship to exist, you need two sides that are willing to talk.
03:41But right now, any such conversation would simply amount to Russia dictating the terms.
03:47Russia therefore remains a central security concern for Latvia.
03:51And for factories like this one near Riga, military orders have become an increasingly important part of production.
03:59I sincerely hope that none of what we are producing will ever have to be used.
04:03That's my greatest hope.
04:05A hope likely shared by many Latvian voters, whichever party they choose, at the ballot box.
04:11You will be living on your own.
04:11Nothing else is making me nervous.
04:11Always take me off the streets with your own.
04:11You will be living on your own.
04:12You will be living on your own.
04:12You are going to be living on your own.
04:12You are going to be living next to a life.
