G.Vītols does not provide the full picture about the changes he himself initiated - the amendments to the IIN law submitted to the Saeima also provide for a significant reduction for crypto-asset holders - from the currently applicable 25.5% to 10%. https://t.co/V4aRw71J6u
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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I'm already talking about the same thing. I haven't seen free medicine myself, but I know that pensioners stand in those lines and someone already gets it. And I'm not complaining, that's how the system works, and I don't feel sorry. In the country overall, 2 euros for medicine come from the budget, and each person adds 1 euro on average. The out-of-pocket expense indicator is around 30%. Probably even more, because not everything goes through the register.
@guntarsv Free medicine? Yes, those 4 EUR at the family doctor is free medicine. The rest is paid, except for pensioners. Those who earn very well or the Russians arriving here, are happy that they pay very little or nothing at all for operations. Education? Then it's not needed?
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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@romans_melniks What profit are you talking about, two-wheeler?🙈
Do you really not know that for years we have been operating with an annual loss of 2 billion a year? The budget deficit is equivalent to losses in the private sector.
@guntarsv Now that's really over the line! How much does the budget unexpectedly gain from the unexpectedly high fuel prices? This 'windfall profit' should be used to mitigate the price increase and also to avoid fueling inflation, because transport suffers first.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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Correct. Lower taxes are better. But then something else must be said. Fewer services 'for free'. That suits me. But it doesn't suit society. The majority demands that more be given for free. Health services, for example. Now we also have to sponsor fuel? From already spent taxes, right?
@guntarsv@realNepareizais But the state already interferes in that free market through taxes. If due to state influence local entrepreneurs become uncompetitive in the wider region, then that free market also ends and communism begins when the state chooses who will survive.
That's how inflation works. VAT adjusts automatically. Our economy's real growth rate is just above 2%. Plus inflation of 3-4%. Together 5-6%. And tax revenues also grow by an average of 5-6%. Every year. Mostly due to inflation, yes! And expenses also grow by the same amount each year, so we can't get out of the budget deficit. If fuel becomes unexpectedly more expensive as it is now, they come and ask for extra money for fuel. But not only for that—demands have been 10 times greater than possibilities for years. This gives me hives. Everyone should consider how much milk that cow can actually give. Absolutely everyone, including those who now ask to reduce fuel prices at the expense of taxes. A little sense won't come home.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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That's how inflation works. VAT adjusts automatically. Our economy's real growth rate is just above 2%. Plus inflation of 3-4%. Together 5-6%. And tax revenues also grow by an average of 5-6%. Every year. Mostly due to inflation, yes! And expenses also grow by the same amount each year, so we can't get out of the budget deficit. If fuel becomes unexpectedly more expensive as it is now, they come and ask for extra money for fuel. But not only for that—demands have been 10 times greater than possibilities for years. This gives me hives. Everyone should consider how much milk that cow can actually give. Absolutely everyone, including those who now ask to reduce fuel prices at the expense of taxes. A little sense won't come home.
@guntarsv@realNepareizais If the volume of liters consumed remains more or less unchanged, how much excess VAT revenue from fuel is there currently compared to the fuel price at the beginning of summer?
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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@sidsloth261949@realNepareizais True. The ABC of truth. But we here cannot influence global processes and thus fuel prices. Attempts to shift money from one pocket to another through taxes will not solve this problem. It is a zero-sum paradigm.
The financial situation of Valka municipality is not improving, so the council should start the financial stabilization process by the end of the month. All Valka municipal council deputies received such a letter from the Ministry of Finance at the beginning of September. https://t.co/TnYpYKGIYMhttps://t.co/axjU6Yl76k
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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The energy crisis affects absolutely everyone, directly or indirectly (through service prices). The private sector feels the increase in costs, and in the public sector it's the same - they are asking for extra money not only for fuel against the backdrop of an already negative budget. There is no pleasant solution here. Everyone will have to bear this on their shoulders, whether they want to or not.
Yes, at the state level, tax reduction is not too pleasant, on the other hand how long will business withstand high fuel prices? I already hear on the sidelines that some foresters have slightly slowed down work to understand the price trend.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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Very simple. In communism everything is free and provided by the state. They expect it 'for free'.
I see it as a post-Soviet mindset. On one hand, they demand the state provide everything. Be responsible for everything. This is a regular social media topic. Give me this, that and more. And on the other hand, they don't want to pay for it.
I don't ask the state to support me and provide me something. That's capitalism. And accordingly, I don't have this contradiction.
I was at an expensive restaurant. Nearby sits Šteinbuka, who has been teaching for 20 years how to handle the state budget. When it's time to pay the bill, Šteinbuka pulls out a white envelope full of cash and pays the restaurant bill. https://t.co/pkLbz3ITgN
Nothing probably illustrates better what “Progressive” in power means than Kaspars Briškens' career. A person has sucked out a million just in salary from the transport sector, was responsible for strategies, planning, held the ministerial post, but what is the result of the activity? Rail Baltica has become more expensive and is not being built, nothing more than the unnecessary pile in the Daugava and the station at the airport never came to be, they couldn't even finish designing and expropriating the land. Meanwhile, AirBaltic requested Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Hundreds of millions lost and squandered, another million spent on the salary of one “progressive” specialist, and in the end nothing is being built, everything becomes more expensive and goes bankrupt.
That is exactly why “Progressives” must never be allowed near power anywhere!
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Biedrības 'Latvijas restarts' biedrs
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A perfectly good and precise detailed plan, also mentioning the names of @Progresivie's second-echelon strivers. Adding to the author. No one says the Archer is bad. It's simply too expensive for us. Paraphrasing @AndrisKulbergs's quote: 'We want to ride in a Bentley, but the money is for a Škoda.' https://t.co/e3tiseneNd
We will tell the whole truth about @Progresivie's affair with the procurement of the artillery system 'Archer'. In a normal country @AndrisSpruds would have been in prison long ago, but here it's not customary.
About everything in order.
The NBS defines the need for newer and more modern artillery systems. Research takes place and NBS specialists recognize the Czech company's 'Morana' as the best and most advantageous.
What does Sprūds do? He makes the NBS opinion be reworked and under political pressure the Swedish 'Archer' is recognized as the 'best'. NBS commander Pudāns shows he is a weak rag and cannot resist the demands of the communist Sprūds. What will this commander do when the war starts?
Then Sprūds orders his minions in the ministry to prepare the necessary documents for an official decision. They are prepared by Sprūds's party's placements in the defense ministry - Uģis Norītis and Rolands Heniņš. Both are deputy state secretaries and loyal progressives. The ministry makes the decision and sends it to the Cabinet of Ministers, where it is also approved.
Why is the 'Archer' procurement unprofitable and even harmful for the Latvian state?
First, the price, which is disproportionately expensive. The Swedes could not even name a final price during these three years, but according to preliminary calculations, one artillery vehicle would have to be paid well over 10 million euros, and that is an inadequate sum. In the end, the procurement of artillery vehicles would be well over 100 million euros. Moreover, the costs of maintenance, training and the artillery shells themselves are not yet known. Together it would be well over 100 million euros.
Secondly, deadlines. The Swedes are still NOT able to deliver 'Archer'. Possibly it would only be after several years, but Latvia needs it NOW. The Swedes wanted to palm off the old 6x6 'Archer' to Latvia, while they would produce the needed 8x8 vehicles after many years. An absolutely unprofitable deal.
Thirdly, ammunition. The 155mm artillery ammunition (NATO standard) available to the NBS is NOT suitable for 'Archer'. It would have to be bought from those same Swedes for many millions of euros, because it is specific ammunition suitable ONLY for 'Archer' vehicles. Again a completely unprofitable deal.
Fourthly, industry. Latvia requires that part of the artillery vehicles be produced in Latvia (similar to 'Patria'), but the Swedes cannot ensure that. Thus, Latvia's economic benefit from this deal is a complete zero. Unprofitable.
'Progresīvie' whine that these artillery vehicles have 'proven themselves' in Ukraine. That's nonsense. Yes, the Swedish government donated 'Archer' to the Ukrainian army and they were, of course, accepted, because Ukrainian forces lack armor. The Ukrainian army said they would not buy such vehicles with their own money because they are too expensive and have many flaws. The Ukrainians themselves can produce 'Bogdana' artillery vehicles, which are not worse and are many times cheaper.
'Progresīvie' say that Latvia must buy the Swedish 'Archer' because Swedish soldiers are 'protecting' Latvia.
'Progresīvie' lie again. The Swedes have sent to Latvia a pathetic number of soldiers with even more pathetic combat equipment. In reality, Latvia is protecting Sweden, because when Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, the Swedes wet their pants and quickly ended their hypocritical 'neutrality' and joined NATO. The Swedes sent a small contingent to Latvia for form's sake. Then, when the big s--- from Russia will start, Latvia will take the first blow and we will be the ones protecting Sweden.
Swedish defense minister Paul Jonson's wailing is completely unnecessary and this corrupt politician did not use the opportunity to keep quiet. Sweden would be better off thinking how to reform its dilapidated army, which consists of ONLY ~7000 professional soldiers (including various accountants, secretaries, guards and headquarters loafers).
An important note about so-called strategic intergovernmental cooperation. In 1946, the Swedish government handed over 132 Latvian legionnaires to the USSR, who were then taken to USSR death camps and KGB prisons. The Swedes have already betrayed the Latvians once, and you can be sure - when the Russians try to come in here again, the soft Swedes will be the first to wet their pants and run home.
Strategic cooperation is built on trusting relationships, but the Swedes have not proven they are reliable allies.
All this shows how harmful 'Progresīvie' are to the Latvian state. These people lie, sabotage and undermine the Latvian state at every step.
How to slow down the pace of fuel price increases? Advice from a fuel retailer:
🔹One of the solutions would be to cancel the fee for the strategic fuel reserve for 6 months, which could reduce fuel prices by approximately 6 cents per liter.
🔹Also, the excise tax on diesel and gasoline could be temporarily reduced to the EU minimum level. For diesel from €396 to €330 per 1000 liters, and for gasoline from €555 to €359 per 1000 liters. In this case, EU agreements would be respected, and the diesel price could drop by 6 cents, while gasoline price by almost 20 cents.
🔹Until April 1 next year, diesel and agro-diesel could be exempted from mandatory biofuel blending requirements, or bio-mandate, which could reduce the final fuel price for consumers in Latvia by 6 to 12 cents per liter.
By adopting this package of measures, the VAT rate could temporarily remain unchanged.
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- https://t.co/NREOlYQUxY
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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I had no involvement. I have actually worked in the private sector for most of my life. Without procurement, without any state involvement. But I know the facts. Since then, VAT evasion (VAT gap) has decreased twofold. Nowhere else in the EU is that the case; we are among the leaders. I will tell you about the Martinson clan's victory another time. Or never. That is my choice.
@guntarsv@CVK_zinas Thank you for the explanation. A few questions remained, but I will not continue, because you believe that awkward questions can only be asked by people who are paid. P.S. If someone wanted to damage your reputation, they would rather ask questions about your involvement in VAT schemes when your brother worked at the State Revenue Service.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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I see this as the most essential problem, I defined it from the beginning. If the management of companies is not detached from the politburo, corruption and inefficiency will not diminish. There are two examples known worldwide. Singapore's Temasek (works excellently) and Malaysia's 1MDB, which ended with perhaps the biggest corruption scandal, the prime minister ended up behind bars. We need to seriously look towards eradicating Grafistāna at the root. The state capture structure overseen by Andris Grafs, the nightingale of Unity.
@guntarsv@JanisIkstens The larger and more centralized the structure, the greater the temptation to use it for political purposes ("eating" to support the state apparatus). Paradoxically, one large fund can be more easily politically influenced than several independent, separately regulated and transparent companies.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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Ben, thanks for the concern. The steam hasn't vanished anywhere – it just no longer goes through the whistle but into the cylinders. Two fresh tasks: bitcoin in the deferred tax regime for investment accounts has now reached Saeima – I personally unstuck the stagnation in the cabinets. Supervisory oversight of small lenders at the Bank of Latvia – Saeima just adopted it. Both had sat in bureaucrats' drawers for years. It's easier to express yourself on Twitter. Writing a line into law is harder. I am now doing the latter. And communists are still communists. Only now I meet them not on Twitter but at budget tables.
Watching politicians, one cannot help noticing that almost all of them live in their own bubbles of illusions. Moreover, they see other politicians' 'bubbles' perfectly, but not their own. Some examples. There are politicians who, as an axiom, as 'two times two is four', paint everything happening in Latvia in catastrophic colors. 'We are completely in the rear', 'standing at the edge of an abyss', 'rushing at full speed into a wall', 'we are last in all indicators' and so on. They do not even allow the possibility that maybe it is not so; that they themselves generate this apocalyptic view and further induce it into the surrounding space; that not everyone sees the surrounding world in such colors. Yes, many see significant shortcomings in our state administration and would like to change much, but in their deepest essence they do not feel 'standing at the edge of an abyss'. This is evidenced at least by the fact that, no matter how they are organized, urged and stimulated, they cannot be brought to an action - to save the country from falling into the abyss, let's join hands from Zilupe to Pāvilosta, as it was in the 'Baltic Way' on August 23, 1989 from Vilnius to Tallinn. I mention these past times not out of nostalgia, but to show the huge difference between real problems, real determination, and imitations of these problems, which Latvia's current political activists engage in. Currently, there is no issue in Latvian politics so decisive that it could gather even a couple of thousand people for some broader popular manifestation. Peculiarities of the 2026 Saeima elections, new features and general meaning - https://t.co/RvUSDIqguX via @nralv
...almost as much as the Civic Alliance receives from the Cabinet of Ministers for recording meetings of the Memorandum Council in one year and getting together with @AndrisKulbergs. That we can do.
Compensating a child for medication for a rare disease that would restore a full life – we cannot, donations must be collected. https://t.co/Y5zab5OLmm
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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@ECapligina@IvarsAuzins The oil price is only about 25% of the fuel price, even now. The rest is the refining cost, currently abnormally/historically large (diesel refining capacity in Europe is maxed out), and of course taxes (about half the price at the pump). It's all piled up together.
@guntarsv@IvarsAuzins Unfortunately, the greed of the state machine and the absurdity of eco-ideology know no bounds. 10 years ago a barrel cost a bit less, but the price was around 1.37, now 15 USD more, and a whole 1 euro added to the price? Where does state price regulation begin and end? Something is not right...
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ekonomists (FM ministra birojs)
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@IlzeZvidrina Both in Germany and France, as is known, isolationists are gaining ever greater popularity. Currently the next EU funds envelope looks as usual, but what will be after 7 years, one can only guess.
@guntarsv And FR is the second largest net contributor to the EU budget and a military power. Surely they will manage themselves, which could also mean they will no longer contribute to EU funds.