Political posts and news in Budget from Apvienotais saraksts, from monitored Latvian public sources.
346
Guntars Vītols (@guntarsv)
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
Reply
Yes. The Ministry of Education is the most horrifying in terms of money inefficiency. I have concrete proposals. The goal is education quality, in my opinion. Not concrete, school walls and heating. And 3-child classes with maybe not the best teacher team (those who live nearby).
Quality education is the goal. I got one and don't want to deny it to others. Our children are a priority, education is the foundation of national welfare.
Personally, I could live in the forest too, but since there are three children in the family, I choose to live where good schools are nearby. That is the parents' choice, also mine, until they grow up.
@guntarsv@ribentrops@Kuskis Expenditure on primary and secondary education is inadequately high - the small-school effect. Is there something on the agenda about this issue?
@guntarsv@Kuskis Before reducing what is used by the population, the whole “budget menu” should be opened: which expenditures are truly necessary for the state and which can be reviewed? Including state funding for organizations such as PROVIDUS and hundreds of others.
Yes, the menu has several sections. One of them is about tax policy. The IMF, for example, doesn't believe that you can cut expenses. They offer only that. In the Ministry of Finance, we put several sections in the menu - expenditure reduction, reforms (merging institutions), and also a tax section. Then all of that can be combined in different ways like Lego bricks. However, a deficit-free budget cannot be achieved without taxes. That is because we spend on defense in something like a half-war mode. And in other countries it is exactly the same, the same problem with the budget. My idea is to aim for a 'normalized deficit-free budget'. If you don't take into account the increase in defense spending from 2% to 5%, and accept those 3% as above normal and don't compensate for them, then you can achieve a normalized deficit-free budget. As for taxes, they are relatively low compared to GDP. And that is also why, for example, the health sector cannot be funded as much as we want (currently below the OECD average relative to GDP). So everything is about desires. If you want to fund education, health, etc. as much as in OECD countries, then the tax burden must be correspondingly higher. So what do we want? We have to choose. In the coming years, the tax burden, by the way, with unchanged policy, will continue to decline relative to GDP, which also needs to be taken into account.
We have been working on the budget measures for all these 4 months. On the table before the Prime Minister and a very narrow circle lies a longish thing that I call the 'bloody list'. Because all of these are difficult/unpopular decisions. Otherwise the budget cannot be put in order, since the popular slogans about optimising officials and individual siphons and Jonīte's handbags are mathematically cents (compared with the budget deficit).
The most direct analogy is Milei. Publicly he went with a saw and abolished ministries (popular), but in fact he eliminated the deficit by limiting public spending (free services) by USD 800 per inhabitant (very unpopular). We have a similar choice; no other exists, even though 99.99% of the public does not understand that.
It is not my job to carry these proposals to the people; we only gave the menu (restaurant menu), the main thing will be the resolve to decide politically, in the coalition, and that requires courage. Until the elections they promised candies; that is not hard. Now there will or will not be a moment of truth, because reforms have only one year. After that, elections again, the circus will resume.
That is why the ministry was silent all this time (they reproached us for 'doing nothing'). Only what the Prime Minister now takes upon himself to do will be published. Otherwise it does not work; the Finance Ministry is just bookkeepers showing what can be done at all. Restaurant menu. Others simply do not understand. For example, ministries can also be abolished, but in money terms it is only a crust from a loaf of bread, a few cents out of 10 euros.
Have a nice day!
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
Reply
Yes, the menu has several sections. One of them is about tax policy. The IMF, for example, doesn't believe that you can cut expenses. They offer only that. In the Ministry of Finance, we put several sections in the menu - expenditure reduction, reforms (merging institutions), and also a tax section. Then all of that can be combined in different ways like Lego bricks. However, a deficit-free budget cannot be achieved without taxes. That is because we spend on defense in something like a half-war mode. And in other countries it is exactly the same, the same problem with the budget. My idea is to aim for a 'normalized deficit-free budget'. If you don't take into account the increase in defense spending from 2% to 5%, and accept those 3% as above normal and don't compensate for them, then you can achieve a normalized deficit-free budget. As for taxes, they are relatively low compared to GDP. And that is also why, for example, the health sector cannot be funded as much as we want (currently below the OECD average relative to GDP). So everything is about desires. If you want to fund education, health, etc. as much as in OECD countries, then the tax burden must be correspondingly higher. So what do we want? We have to choose. In the coming years, the tax burden, by the way, with unchanged policy, will continue to decline relative to GDP, which also needs to be taken into account.
@guntarsv@Kuskis I wonder, does that menu also include taxes? The OECD recommended not only reducing expenditures but also raising the tax burden by 2.4% of GDP - property, capital, etc. Without even touching VAT. And we don't have the Argentina situation to cut pensions, subsidies for public transport, etc. with a knife in living flesh.
Of course, you can use Milei/ARG numbers to cover up the unwillingness to abolish ministries, saying that the real budget deficit is erased precisely by cutting public spending.
BUT.
The symbolic aspect is no less important here — if you, guys, want the people to believe you, then the 4 superfluous ministries MUST be abolished.
And that must be done at the first government meeting.
Together with the SIF and the MAF.
It is like toppling Okupeklis in Pārdaugava — symbolism is just as important, if not more important.
Because in 4 years this state cannot be put in order, and you do want to be re-elected, right?
So you must not wimp out, ok?
@guntarsv@Kuskis If the "sifi and jonītes bags" are not touched, it will be impossible to convince people to accept that "(free services) for 800 USD per inhabitant" are being taken away.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
Reply
We have been working on the budget measures for all these 4 months. On the table before the Prime Minister and a very narrow circle lies a longish thing that I call the 'bloody list'. Because all of these are difficult/unpopular decisions. Otherwise the budget cannot be put in order, since the popular slogans about optimising officials and individual siphons and Jonīte's handbags are mathematically cents (compared with the budget deficit).
The most direct analogy is Milei. Publicly he went with a saw and abolished ministries (popular), but in fact he eliminated the deficit by limiting public spending (free services) by USD 800 per inhabitant (very unpopular). We have a similar choice; no other exists, even though 99.99% of the public does not understand that.
It is not my job to carry these proposals to the people; we only gave the menu (restaurant menu), the main thing will be the resolve to decide politically, in the coalition, and that requires courage. Until the elections they promised candies; that is not hard. Now there will or will not be a moment of truth, because reforms have only one year. After that, elections again, the circus will resume.
That is why the ministry was silent all this time (they reproached us for 'doing nothing'). Only what the Prime Minister now takes upon himself to do will be published. Otherwise it does not work; the Finance Ministry is just bookkeepers showing what can be done at all. Restaurant menu. Others simply do not understand. For example, ministries can also be abolished, but in money terms it is only a crust from a loaf of bread, a few cents out of 10 euros.
Have a nice day!
The @guntarsv who is usually active on X is silent. I understand that the mandate for Milei-style reforms has been given, but it will be very difficult to implement it with the AS hockey players, the green, moldy ones, and the wind-city residents. @guntarsv, sharpen the saw.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Saeimas deputāts
Quote
I reckon that the Saeima elections should be held in spring or early summer. Once every 20 years they would coincide with the European Parliament elections. But that is not the main thing.
- the budget could be put together in time
- deputies would also have the opportunity to sort out their private affairs over the summer and prepare better for the Saeima session. https://t.co/seqG968gwQ
If we look at Article 11 of the Constitution as something that could be amended to prevent today's failures with the ballots handed over for safekeeping, then I think it is worth discussing why we even have elections in October. Yes, a century ago everyone needed to finish the fieldwork, but now every four years we face a serious risk of starting the next year with a "technical budget", because politicians cannot piece together a coalition.
Constitution:
"11. Saeima elections shall be held on the first Saturday of October."
Day No. 90 in the prime minister's chair (Thursday, Oct 1) – SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL ILL-WISHERS – 80% of the government's work HAS BEEN DONE! A decision on RailBaltica has also been adopted;
📊 79% of the ministers' TOP3 priority tasks — DONE.
Today we reviewed the results of the first four months of the government's work.
Of the 61 priority major TOP3 tasks of ministers, 48 have been completed — 79%.
Of the 106 planned smaller tasks, 88, or 83%, have been achieved.
In the remaining month the government will work, we will complete the remaining 20%.
Among what has been done since the last meeting this month:
- 4 ministers have completed their tasks 100%
o @VARAM_Latvija@Edgars_T main achievement = the election system has been developed and handed over – the mark for the work done will be given by voters on October 3.
o KEM @JanisVitenbergs main task is the launch of the heat market overhaul – the Rīgas Siltums tariff rectification plan with 12 points and clear deadlines.
o @Tieslietas@EdvardsSmiltens prepared the law on the status of 30,000 Ukrainians in Latvia, so they can work and stay after March 1, 2027.
o @EM_gov_lv@valainis completed the simplified construction process (bureaucracy genuinely reduced); fast-track coordination for street vendors and businesses introduced.
✅7 ministers have almost completed their Top3, just 1 completed task short as of today
o @Finmin@MarisKucinskis almost completed all tasks with Tuesday's Finance Ministry report and cost-control measures already by the end of 2026.
o FinMin completed an important task – all procurements will be published from the first €, done ahead of the 2028 date set in law.
o @Iekslietas@janisdombrava submitted a revised migration report and an immigration-fighting plan.
✅Remaining tasks – ministers still have a month left, until November 3:
o 4 tasks require a political decision to be completed;
o 2 tasks depend on the adoption of the new EU MFF multiannual budget;
o 1 task - @veselibasmin@H_AbuMeri the unified appointment system will be completed within a month, once the cybersecurity tests are finished.
Tasks completed in 4 months, in addition to the government declaration:
✅The problem of NGO money-wasting and opaque funding allocation has been brought to the fore. The Finance Ministry has been tasked with developing a clear funding allocation procedure, with an efficiency assessment and the application of an open competition.
✅Suspension of the TET/LMT non-commercial transaction, preparation of a new, transparent solution that meets state interests.
✅Cooperation with FRANCE achieved to strengthen Latvia's security.
✅At the Eastern flank prime ministers' level, support achieved for the €7 billion initiative from the new EU MFF budget, where the justification is to be sought in the impact from the aggressor state in the East and the war in Ukraine.
✅Construction of the 6th stage launched at the airport – the new terminal that had been delayed for years.
✅Cybersecurity – requirements for the security rules of critical infrastructure data centres adopted, work that had not been done for 2.5 years; in this government we did it in 1 month.
o Cybersecurity monitoring equipment installed for 15 critical IT systems https://t.co/3UE7BCYahN for infrastructure protection/monitoring.
✅ICT moratorium – with the support of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, a cartel in state IT procurement has been halted. The imposed procurement moratorium stopped corruption, saved €21 million in the state budget and forced ICT projects worth €130 million to be reassessed, whose usefulness must be evaluated from zero.
✅A historic decision on the centralisation of ICT systems achieved;
✅Operation "VILKATIS" made it possible to neutralise a Russia-organised hybrid attack of illegal migration through Belarus, combining the border guard, the state police, the national armed forces and KVC.
✅OCTA regulation – I have personally been driving amendments in the Saeima for 3 years, so that a traffic accident victim is protected by an insurance guarantee fund if the guilty party flees the scene. In addition, it will be decided that an OCTA accident victim can turn to their own insurer instead of the guilty party as today. This will finally change the historic mistake, shifting the emphasis from the cheapest price to quality.
The government's work is not finished. Until the end of the government's mandate, we will not slow down the pace.
More on #RailBaltica in the next post
1/2
Day No. 90 in the prime minister's chair (Thursday, Oct 1) – SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL ILL-WISHERS – 80% of the government's work HAS BEEN DONE! A decision on RailBaltica has also been adopted;
📊 79% of the ministers' TOP3 priority tasks — DONE.
Today we reviewed the results of the first four months of the government's work.
Of the 61 priority major TOP3 tasks of ministers, 48 have been completed — 79%.
Of the 106 planned smaller tasks, 88, or 83%, have been achieved.
In the remaining month the government will work, we will complete the remaining 20%.
Among what has been done since the last meeting this month:
- 4 ministers have completed their tasks 100%
o @VARAM_Latvija@Edgars_T main achievement = the election system has been developed and handed over – the mark for the work done will be given by voters on October 3.
o KEM @JanisVitenbergs main task is the launch of the heat market overhaul – the Rīgas Siltums tariff rectification plan with 12 points and clear deadlines.
o @Tieslietas@EdvardsSmiltens prepared the law on the status of 30,000 Ukrainians in Latvia, so they can work and stay after March 1, 2027.
o @EM_gov_lv@valainis completed the simplified construction process (bureaucracy genuinely reduced); fast-track coordination for street vendors and businesses introduced.
✅7 ministers have almost completed their Top3, just 1 completed task short as of today
o @Finmin@MarisKucinskis almost completed all tasks with Tuesday's Finance Ministry report and cost-control measures already by the end of 2026.
o FinMin completed an important task – all procurements will be published from the first €, done ahead of the 2028 date set in law.
o @Iekslietas@janisdombrava submitted a revised migration report and an immigration-fighting plan.
✅Remaining tasks – ministers still have a month left, until November 3:
o 4 tasks require a political decision to be completed;
o 2 tasks depend on the adoption of the new EU MFF multiannual budget;
o 1 task - @veselibasmin@H_AbuMeri the unified appointment system will be completed within a month, once the cybersecurity tests are finished.
Tasks completed in 4 months, in addition to the government declaration:
✅The problem of NGO money-wasting and opaque funding allocation has been brought to the fore. The Finance Ministry has been tasked with developing a clear funding allocation procedure, with an efficiency assessment and the application of an open competition.
✅Suspension of the TET/LMT non-commercial transaction, preparation of a new, transparent solution that meets state interests.
✅Cooperation with FRANCE achieved to strengthen Latvia's security.
✅At the Eastern flank prime ministers' level, support achieved for the €7 billion initiative from the new EU MFF budget, where the justification is to be sought in the impact from the aggressor state in the East and the war in Ukraine.
✅Construction of the 6th stage launched at the airport – the new terminal that had been delayed for years.
✅Cybersecurity – requirements for the security rules of critical infrastructure data centres adopted, work that had not been done for 2.5 years; in this government we did it in 1 month.
o Cybersecurity monitoring equipment installed for 15 critical IT systems https://t.co/3UE7BCYahN for infrastructure protection/monitoring.
✅ICT moratorium – with the support of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, a cartel in state IT procurement has been halted. The imposed procurement moratorium stopped corruption, saved €21 million in the state budget and forced ICT projects worth €130 million to be reassessed, whose usefulness must be evaluated from zero.
✅A historic decision on the centralisation of ICT systems achieved;
✅Operation "VILKATIS" made it possible to neutralise a Russia-organised hybrid attack of illegal migration through Belarus, combining the border guard, the state police, the national armed forces and KVC.
✅OCTA regulation – I have personally been driving amendments in the Saeima for 3 years, so that a traffic accident victim is protected by an insurance guarantee fund if the guilty party flees the scene. In addition, it will be decided that an OCTA accident victim can turn to their own insurer instead of the guilty party as today. This will finally change the historic mistake, shifting the emphasis from the cheapest price to quality.
The government's work is not finished. Until the end of the government's mandate, we will not slow down the pace.
More on #RailBaltica in the next post
1/2
A couple of subjective remarks about tonight’s debates.
Unambiguously:
- Andris Kulbergs is the best orator with a charmingly disarming smile and a perfectly built speech rhythm.
- Juris Pūce is pleasantly businesslike — you can sense he knows his stuff, and it was a lucky choice that Ivars Ījābs did not represent the party in the party debates.
- Viktors’ exaggerated pathos and constant reminders that he will be prime minister justifiably make one doubt,
- Šuvajevs as always — a talking Excellency, with fluent language, but in fact a populist of a completely empty shell. As always.
- In a politically unpolished language, Alvis at times said more than the experienced routine politicians. That was undeniably brilliant.
- Ainārs has grown, although phrases from earlier times can be heard; he knows the material well and has an oppositionist’s freedom of expression, a good reaction with a counter-question to Kulbergs on a very unfortunate question, but the brightest moment of tonight’s debates was undoubtedly the question about the enormous corruption in state administration with a reference to criminal liability, without addressing it to either JV or Pro, but to Pūce, who is not in the government (and naming the addressee at the end — brilliant!). Juris was literally on pause when he received that question.
- For the umpteenth time JV demonstrates its weakness, which it tries to replace with attacking aggression. Strange tactics. Ašeradens, who has always come and been able in the studio to shoot back with tolerant self-respect for what JV has done .... A wasted opportunity to debate about the state, with a very unsuccessful jab at Jūlija. This genre does not suit Arvils. Bad political technologists are an old V problem (Ēlerte, Ķirsis),
- Indriksone is stable, with predictable answers.
- Jūlija — knowledgeable, a little too aggressive, but with enormous advantages to use, and she does so from opposition positions.
- It is hard to understand what Svetlana Čulkova was oriented towards tonight — her strong point is short, laconic and precise answers that do not irritate the viewer, but that was rare tonight. There is a feeling that the party is being written off, fixating only on one BY and Ru topic. Rosļikovs was an undeniable leader, without whom the party goes down the bubble.
Gundars Rēders, in my opinion, coped well with the “prime ministers”.
One can agree with @AnsisPupols that it was a tormented evening circus show, with attempts to entertain the audience with rather stupid jabs at opponents rather than talking — how to save the plundered state from insolvency.
The biggest catastrophe of the evening was the invited, day-before-yesterday experts, who were unable to contribute to the discussion.
It is positive that the broadcast ended with the united “Latvia, Latvia” sounding in the studio, because it is one for all.
That is good.
The shows are over — now to work.
Day No. 90 in the prime minister's chair (Thursday, Oct 1) – SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL ILL-WISHERS – 80% of the government's work HAS BEEN DONE! A decision on RailBaltica has also been adopted;
📊 79% of the ministers' TOP3 priority tasks — DONE.
Today we reviewed the results of the first four months of the government's work.
Of the 61 priority major TOP3 tasks of ministers, 48 have been completed — 79%.
Of the 106 planned smaller tasks, 88, or 83%, have been achieved.
In the remaining month the government will work, we will complete the remaining 20%.
Among what has been done since the last meeting this month:
- 4 ministers have completed their tasks 100%
o @VARAM_Latvija@Edgars_T main achievement = the election system has been developed and handed over – the mark for the work done will be given by voters on October 3.
o KEM @JanisVitenbergs main task is the launch of the heat market overhaul – the Rīgas Siltums tariff rectification plan with 12 points and clear deadlines.
o @Tieslietas@EdvardsSmiltens prepared the law on the status of 30,000 Ukrainians in Latvia, so they can work and stay after March 1, 2027.
o @EM_gov_lv@valainis completed the simplified construction process (bureaucracy genuinely reduced); fast-track coordination for street vendors and businesses introduced.
✅7 ministers have almost completed their Top3, just 1 completed task short as of today
o @Finmin@MarisKucinskis almost completed all tasks with Tuesday's Finance Ministry report and cost-control measures already by the end of 2026.
o FinMin completed an important task – all procurements will be published from the first €, done ahead of the 2028 date set in law.
o @Iekslietas@janisdombrava submitted a revised migration report and an immigration-fighting plan.
✅Remaining tasks – ministers still have a month left, until November 3:
o 4 tasks require a political decision to be completed;
o 2 tasks depend on the adoption of the new EU MFF multiannual budget;
o 1 task - @veselibasmin@H_AbuMeri the unified appointment system will be completed within a month, once the cybersecurity tests are finished.
Tasks completed in 4 months, in addition to the government declaration:
✅The problem of NGO money-wasting and opaque funding allocation has been brought to the fore. The Finance Ministry has been tasked with developing a clear funding allocation procedure, with an efficiency assessment and the application of an open competition.
✅Suspension of the TET/LMT non-commercial transaction, preparation of a new, transparent solution that meets state interests.
✅Cooperation with FRANCE achieved to strengthen Latvia's security.
✅At the Eastern flank prime ministers' level, support achieved for the €7 billion initiative from the new EU MFF budget, where the justification is to be sought in the impact from the aggressor state in the East and the war in Ukraine.
✅Construction of the 6th stage launched at the airport – the new terminal that had been delayed for years.
✅Cybersecurity – requirements for the security rules of critical infrastructure data centres adopted, work that had not been done for 2.5 years; in this government we did it in 1 month.
o Cybersecurity monitoring equipment installed for 15 critical IT systems https://t.co/3UE7BCYahN for infrastructure protection/monitoring.
✅ICT moratorium – with the support of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, a cartel in state IT procurement has been halted. The imposed procurement moratorium stopped corruption, saved €21 million in the state budget and forced ICT projects worth €130 million to be reassessed, whose usefulness must be evaluated from zero.
✅A historic decision on the centralisation of ICT systems achieved;
✅Operation "VILKATIS" made it possible to neutralise a Russia-organised hybrid attack of illegal migration through Belarus, combining the border guard, the state police, the national armed forces and KVC.
✅OCTA regulation – I have personally been driving amendments in the Saeima for 3 years, so that a traffic accident victim is protected by an insurance guarantee fund if the guilty party flees the scene. In addition, it will be decided that an OCTA accident victim can turn to their own insurer instead of the guilty party as today. This will finally change the historic mistake, shifting the emphasis from the cheapest price to quality.
The government's work is not finished. Until the end of the government's mandate, we will not slow down the pace.
More on #RailBaltica in the next post
1/2
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ministru prezidents
Tweet
Day No. 90 in the prime minister's chair (Thursday, Oct 1) – SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL ILL-WISHERS – 80% of the government's work HAS BEEN DONE! A decision on RailBaltica has also been adopted;
📊 79% of the ministers' TOP3 priority tasks — DONE.
Today we reviewed the results of the first four months of the government's work.
Of the 61 priority major TOP3 tasks of ministers, 48 have been completed — 79%.
Of the 106 planned smaller tasks, 88, or 83%, have been achieved.
In the remaining month the government will work, we will complete the remaining 20%.
Among what has been done since the last meeting this month:
- 4 ministers have completed their tasks 100%
o @VARAM_Latvija@Edgars_T main achievement = the election system has been developed and handed over – the mark for the work done will be given by voters on October 3.
o KEM @JanisVitenbergs main task is the launch of the heat market overhaul – the Rīgas Siltums tariff rectification plan with 12 points and clear deadlines.
o @Tieslietas@EdvardsSmiltens prepared the law on the status of 30,000 Ukrainians in Latvia, so they can work and stay after March 1, 2027.
o @EM_gov_lv@valainis completed the simplified construction process (bureaucracy genuinely reduced); fast-track coordination for street vendors and businesses introduced.
✅7 ministers have almost completed their Top3, just 1 completed task short as of today
o @Finmin@MarisKucinskis almost completed all tasks with Tuesday's Finance Ministry report and cost-control measures already by the end of 2026.
o FinMin completed an important task – all procurements will be published from the first €, done ahead of the 2028 date set in law.
o @Iekslietas@janisdombrava submitted a revised migration report and an immigration-fighting plan.
✅Remaining tasks – ministers still have a month left, until November 3:
o 4 tasks require a political decision to be completed;
o 2 tasks depend on the adoption of the new EU MFF multiannual budget;
o 1 task - @veselibasmin@H_AbuMeri the unified appointment system will be completed within a month, once the cybersecurity tests are finished.
Tasks completed in 4 months, in addition to the government declaration:
✅The problem of NGO money-wasting and opaque funding allocation has been brought to the fore. The Finance Ministry has been tasked with developing a clear funding allocation procedure, with an efficiency assessment and the application of an open competition.
✅Suspension of the TET/LMT non-commercial transaction, preparation of a new, transparent solution that meets state interests.
✅Cooperation with FRANCE achieved to strengthen Latvia's security.
✅At the Eastern flank prime ministers' level, support achieved for the €7 billion initiative from the new EU MFF budget, where the justification is to be sought in the impact from the aggressor state in the East and the war in Ukraine.
✅Construction of the 6th stage launched at the airport – the new terminal that had been delayed for years.
✅Cybersecurity – requirements for the security rules of critical infrastructure data centres adopted, work that had not been done for 2.5 years; in this government we did it in 1 month.
o Cybersecurity monitoring equipment installed for 15 critical IT systems https://t.co/3UE7BCYahN for infrastructure protection/monitoring.
✅ICT moratorium – with the support of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, a cartel in state IT procurement has been halted. The imposed procurement moratorium stopped corruption, saved €21 million in the state budget and forced ICT projects worth €130 million to be reassessed, whose usefulness must be evaluated from zero.
✅A historic decision on the centralisation of ICT systems achieved;
✅Operation "VILKATIS" made it possible to neutralise a Russia-organised hybrid attack of illegal migration through Belarus, combining the border guard, the state police, the national armed forces and KVC.
✅OCTA regulation – I have personally been driving amendments in the Saeima for 3 years, so that a traffic accident victim is protected by an insurance guarantee fund if the guilty party flees the scene. In addition, it will be decided that an OCTA accident victim can turn to their own insurer instead of the guilty party as today. This will finally change the historic mistake, shifting the emphasis from the cheapest price to quality.
The government's work is not finished. Until the end of the government's mandate, we will not slow down the pace.
More on #RailBaltica in the next post
1/2
@AndrisKulbergs The state gives nothing without first having taken. Every "we will give" is also "we will take", and you can only take from those who have — the hardworking, the skilled, the successful. It is strange that the promise to slow down those who create value seems attractive to many.
HOW CAN ONE NOT PROMISE! - the classic once said
🗳️ PARTIES — WHO PROMISES MORE?
Given this stark budget reality and the legacy left in state finances, where even borrowing up to the maximum 🇪🇺EU-allowed budget deficit limit is not enough, the pre-election promises of political parties stand out especially.
They are no longer measurable in hundreds of millions — they are already measurable in billions €, moreover without financial coverage and without a real economic growth proposal.
I have analysed the programmes of several political parties and summarised each party's promises in money terms for the period from 2027 to 2030.
🏆 The record holders of political "Promisers" for the next four years:
🥇 No.1 — Suverēnā Vara / Jaunlatvieši (Stepaņenko wants to give benefits, cut VAT, raise salaries): +3.61 billion €
🥈 No.2 — @LatvijaPirmaja Latvia First (@SlesersAinars – we reduce VAT on everything): +2.87 billion €
🥉 No.3 — @ZZS_ (@ViktorsValainis — promising to abolish VAT): +2.47 billion €
4️⃣ @Progresivie (@suvajevs — because money grows on trees): +2.1 billion €
5️⃣ @Jauna_Vienotiba (@aseradens — we continue borrowing endlessly): +1.56 billion €
6️⃣ @VL_TBLNNK National Alliance — (wants to fund language, education, culture and fight illegal migration, without thinking about the ECONOMY): +1.55 billion €
7️⃣ @Apvienotais_ — we will not promise what we cannot deliver, main focus on education that will pay off in the future, with justification of where we will take the funding: +763 million €
When you go to vote - ask the question - HOW DO THESE BIG PROMISERS REALLY INTEND TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PROMISES, IF ALREADY TODAY THE STATE FINANCES HAVE A €420M FINANCIAL HOLE (already next year), WHICH MUST BE FILLED? And think about who left such a financial pit legacy
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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The numbers don't show that. The data shows that we have a small middle class, not to mention the rich. That's why progressive income tax makes no sense either. We calculated that at the ministry. Those are the consequences of communist thinking. To bite everyone in time so they don't escape from the poverty characteristic of communism. However, the Progressives try as much as they can. Until there are 10 square meters per nose in communal housing, they won't leave us alone.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ministru prezidents
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Of course, that is the main disease. Reducing functions enshrined in laws and Cabinet regulations is what needs to be reviewed immediately at the Cabinet and Saeima level, amending 100–200 items. That requires a clear mandate and will be done as a priority in the next government. It is the only way to truly reduce expenditure.
@AndrisKulbergs@ainarsbr11 Maybe look at how the tasks have changed, how many tasks for state institutions have you eliminated?
If politicians only give institutions new tasks but do not review existing ones, then of course the number of employees will grow.
Simplify, then add lightness
Since 2020, the state apparatus has grown by +10,500 employees, despite a falling number of employed people and residents. As a result of the municipal reform, where the plan was to save and reduce resources = the number of employees has grown by +2,500.
Public services 🇱🇻 are 26% of GDP vs 23% in OECD countries.
Public-sector employment is 24% (the highest figure) vs 18% in the OECD.
State intervention in the economy has grown by 10 percentage points, to a record-high 46%.
In the next 4 years, all of these indicators must be reversed — that is our ironclad plan, if we are given such an opportunity.
Since 2020, the state apparatus has grown by +10,500 employees, despite a falling number of employed people and residents. As a result of the municipal reform, where the plan was to save and reduce resources = the number of employees has grown by +2,500.
Public services 🇱🇻 are 26% of GDP vs 23% in OECD countries.
Public-sector employment is 24% (the highest figure) vs 18% in the OECD.
State intervention in the economy has grown by 10 percentage points, to a record-high 46%.
In the next 4 years, all of these indicators must be reversed — that is our ironclad plan, if we are given such an opportunity.