Riga, Dec 17 (LETA) - The Riga City Council on Wednesday decided to ban fireworks at night in the capital.

The capital city's ruling coalition of the Progressives, National Alliance, New Unity, and the United List voted in favor of the ban on fireworks, while opposition councilors representing Solidarity, Sovereign Power, and the New Latvians voted against the ban.

The ban is laid down in the binding regulations on the time limit for the use of fireworks and stage pyrotechnics in the administrative territory of Riga municipality.

The use of fireworks and stage pyrotechnics outdoors will be prohibited from June 1 to August 31 from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and from September 1 to May 31 from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The ban on fireworks will not apply to public events authorized by the Riga City Council, as well as on New Year's Day from midnight to 1 a.m.

According to Riga Vice Mayor Edvards Ratnieks (National Alliance), political support for a ban on New Year's fireworks according to Moscow time in Riga has finally been secured. "This is widely celebrated every year in the neighborhoods of Riga. Riga should clearly express its pro-Latvian position and solidarity with Ukraine on this issue," Ratnieks said.

As LETA learned at the Riga City Council, the binding regulations do not need to be coordinated with the Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry, so they will be published in the official gazette immediately after adoption and will enter into force at the end of this year.

Previously, the ban on the use of fireworks was included in the public order regulations. The use of pyrotechnic products was prohibited between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., unless agreed with the Riga City executive director, and except on public holidays.

Ratnieks previously explained that the Law on Administrative Penalties for Offenses in the Field of Administration, Public Order, and Use of the Official Language, which came into force in 2024, invalidated the public order regulations.