Latvia is experiencing the worst economic slowdown among all European Union countries. In the third quarter of 2008 alone, the economic growth was 4-point-six percent slower than the same period a year earlier. In a bid to turn things around, the government has announced massive cost-cutting measures and plans to raise taxes -- which has led to a public outcry. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the capital, Riga to express their anger. +++ SYN-MAZ +++