Latvian Political Monitor

Day No. 51 in the prime minister's seat 🗓️ - NGO Day in the Cabinet of Ministers 🤝 Meeting with President @edgarsrinkevics - we discussed current national security issues and what's happening in the Cabinet and the coalition. 💰 Deputy compensation. Again a question that demands responsibility, not excuses. I believe manipulations with compensation will always exist. That is not a reason not to oversee them. Control and transparency must be strengthened. Deputies' salaries are adequate, so compensation must be really justified and verifiable, not interpretable. Such an approach exists throughout the democratic world, and the compensation system itself is normal practice. ✍️ The other topic - J. Dombrava's letter to Spain. I have already discussed this situation with the Minister of the Interior. The letter initiated by Italy and Denmark, signed by 22 EU member states, addressed to the EU leadership, was a clear and unambiguous gesture on behalf of the state. I signed it on Saturday. 🇱🇻 Latvia is represented in foreign affairs by three officials: the President, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. No matter how fast everything is happening in the world now, it is important to follow specific guidelines. 🏛️ The meeting with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) at the Cabinet of Ministers, which I initiated, showed one thing: clearly, NO ONE FOLLOWS UP ON USEFULNESS. 🧩 Why did I say the prepared presentations are SHIT? Because they did not give the full picture of the situation. The data are fragmentary, fragmented. Even the responsible ministries cannot obtain a full picture within a month. The collected data give NO (!!!) overview of where the state's tax money goes. ❓Reports, documents, calculations, and audits are already being made. The papers are clean, but does anyone check whether it matches state priorities? Are the measures taken useful? Did the budget funding reach the goal? Where do audits and their reports end up? Which official draws CONCLUSIONS? The goal is one - a strong and independent NGO sector that is not bureaucratic or formal, that does not simply absorb funds but works for the good of people and the state. Such NGOs will always have my support. 🤍 Being strong first means being independent. One behind which stand members, supporters, communities. It is not good if the state is the only source of income and provider of the NGO's existence. That weakens NGOs, not strengthens. 🙄A very interesting nuance - I also got a sexism accusation from a representative of “Sievietei paveicās”. For that I allow myself to ask a question to the head of the Civil Union. It turns out that you cannot talk to women about the use of the state budget. 🤷‍♂️ 📋 Next steps, where I expect a result in a month: 1️⃣ All ministries to identify what is granted to NGOs: amount of funding, recipients, legal basis, specific goal. 2️⃣ The Ministry of Finance, when reviewing budget expenditures, must separately evaluate expenditures related to NGO funding, their justification, effectiveness, and alignment with state priorities. 3️⃣ The Ministry of Culture together with the Ministry of Finance must develop clear, transparent principles for allocating NGO funding. 4️⃣ The Ministry of Finance must develop proposals for improving the NGO funding system and increasing private sector participation, including tax instruments that would motivate people and companies to support NGOs. Wherever there is public money, asking about its use is normal. ⚠️ It is alarming if elementary questions about the use of funds are called signs of authoritarianism or even fascism. Maybe that is why some politicians tried to use this discussion about NGOs for their own ends. 📰 Afternoon interview with POLITICO, a broad conversation with @politico journalist Max Griera. We discussed both security issues and the proximity of the upcoming elections, my plans for the prime minister's post, and much more. I will share the interview soon. 🎙️ 💭 At the end of the day, I want to emphasize once again that responsibility is not loud words. It is daily work with details that others do not want to see. That is why I will continue to ask: where does the money go and who is responsible for it.

@BaibaStrautmane I can already say this clearly = they cannot be independent industry organizations if they receive state funding for a long time. Period. I have already spoken about this before. This issue needs to be resolved.

Based on the company's ability to show return on capital without tax surcharges in the free market. In short.. could also be longer.

The state will ensure that property seized in criminal proceedings does not lose value! 💶 Today the government supported amendments prepared by @Tiesletas that will allow in certain cases not only to store, but also to professionally manage property seized in criminal proceedings. In practice, this will mean that a seized car will be maintained in technical order, real estate will be managed, company value will be protected from squandering, and, for example, animals will be provided proper care. Transfer of property to management will not happen automatically. The process manager will decide in each case, assessing the specific circumstances. If the property can be safely left with its owner, user, or another trusted person, it can remain under that person's custody. These amendments will make criminal proceedings more efficient, reduce state expenses, and ensure a modern approach to managing seized property. ☑️

@viuksmp @wannax_j Valter, as I mentioned. This has to be viewed relatively. I'll give one example from a recent conversation with a friend who is interested in politics, might even get actively involved, an exporting entrepreneur. He could no longer run a company and would earn significantly less. That's how quite a few capable professionals fall away🙂↕️

@viuksmp @wannax_j I have no idea about her skills and what someone would be willing to pay. I know people in Rēzekne who earn significantly more than the sum you mentioned.

There was just a protest that was supported by Palestinian citizens. They're going to take away NGO money😅 Yes, it will be gone through whom to give and not to give. The councils should already slowly group up, reserve, and call Palestinians for a similar event, because this will be reduced pretty soon. No question! https://t.co/zRxOOa5O4M

@wannax_j As I mentioned before, I find these compensation arrangements inappropriate. It is not about poverty or wealth. It is the principle.

@wannax_j I tend to agree with you that all sorts of compensations should be removed. Deputy salaries, however, are not large. Of course, it should be viewed relatively. For me personally, the salary issue was a big consideration before I decided to run. Deputies should also be allowed to work in the professions from which they come.

Efforts to finally sort out the procurement system in Latvia, linking sports funding to the lottery, support for churches and much more. Another intensive work week...

I find it hard to understand why wise minds don't understand what @AndrisBite is saying. To paraphrase, we are not against research, we are saying that we entrepreneurs cannot generate enough for you to be able to finance it in this format, and moreover by borrowing too much outside our economy. Elementary! https://t.co/o0zo1sWJRS

Civic activity is commendable, but what I saw and heard at the Freedom Monument is empty shouting. Logically, NGO funding will have to be reviewed. I repeat that tax money should not be used to support converters and pseudo-integrators of illegal migrants. https://t.co/Ffk2ZQ5Ira

It is important that sports federations are not dependent only on state budget funds. Therefore, there should also be additional financing, giving the LOK the opportunity to work more actively with partners both in Latvia and abroad. We agreed on this with LOK president R. Lazdiņš. https://t.co/hfvHrHlIsS

It is important for Latvia to preserve its sacred heritage, and funds for that will continue to be allocated. Together, we will also plan how to save Riga Cathedral by strengthening its foundations. Today I had a mutually understanding conversation with the leaders of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church about this.

The electronic procurement system is being actively improved, as well as communication technology services and solutions in procurement, so that taxpayers do not overpay for various services in this field. https://t.co/NRqQyAvXa8

@katrinailjinska It is positive that our culture is supported from tax money. Most likely, Swedbank's management is deeply indifferent to both the ensemble and the mentioned Latvian culture. Say, if you want to dance, provide for yourselves, but we will post on social media how corporately patriotic we are.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the government's action plan, which also sets out the Finance Ministry's work priorities during the current government's term: reviewing state budget expenditures, streamlining the public procurement system, and reforming the municipal financial equalization system https://t.co/hmNc5eSFDj

@suvajevs @JekabsRasnacs If cutting state funds for illegal migrant supporters and their integrators is called an attack on civil society, then it's hard to understand with which body part this opinion is being produced. Soriii..Andri.

Clear understanding of the need to introduce a new municipal funding equalization system. An important meeting with representatives of municipal organizations to discuss changing the funding model, which in the long term would preserve the ability of municipalities to provide all services throughout Latvia https://t.co/RtKhmkdvyy

How does cooperation with businesses work in administering tax and duty collection, and what challenges do customs officers face in today's geopolitical conditions, but most importantly – how could this work be further improved. That is what I discussed today with the management of @vid_gov. https://t.co/bGkYCkkipi