Latvian Political Monitor

The ministry is not 'milking' anything; it is basically just state accounting. They are best at calculating. It is the same as in the private sector - accountants know the numbers best. I have 25 years of experience in this field. The difference is that the state is run by elected people, not knowledgeable business managers. That is why absurd nonsense is heard that 'accountants are to blame'. In a private company, the board does not do that, because that would mean the board are monkeys and the result is bankruptcy. Such a business ends.

Very precise... that's exactly how it is. That is exactly why rules are being developed so that funding allocation is clear, so that it has usefulness and conditions for measuring that usefulness, and everything would be open and accessible. So that NGOs would not serve as political pocket organizations. Let NGOs serve real public interests.

I recommend reading @Braze_Baiba & her team's annotation of the failure, as a result of which the prime minister had to "deal" overnight in her place the sanctions case with Ireland and France. Service pensions for diplomats, however, are damn good. Why do they still exist, good question! https://t.co/LBbEktcNfC

An open interview about what it's like to be prime minister and what needs to change in state administration to put Latvia back on the right track! 🇱🇻 Watch! 👇 https://t.co/b9WW1bNIop

Day No. 84 in the prime minister's seat (FRIDAY, 25 Sept.) — before winter we need clear calculations, not scary headlines. I will always support Latvian entrepreneurs. I spoke at @Sadalestikls AURUM monthly meeting of Latvian exporting/manufacturing companies — a very positive impression, I had not expected such a large charge of positive energy — our entrepreneurs are so attractive, open, innovative and capable = super salespeople. Faith returns that we can move great mountains and improve the state's economy through export capacity. For example: @balticovolv will very soon become the European leader in egg production, having taken first place in Lithuania, already in the Baltics, acquiring companies in Scandinavia, Slovenia, etc. Excellent examples of how home producers have become export-capable companies. I would say the AURUM entrepreneurs' club is more attractive and energetic than BNI. 🔥 THERE IS ENOUGH HEATING FUEL. THE QUESTION IS THE PRICE. At the morning government action meeting we went through readiness for the heating season. KEM estimates — in the case of a mild or moderately cold winter, average heating costs could increase by 10–15%. For a small apartment that could be an additional 2–15 euros per month, for a private house — 20–40 euros. The situation will differ in each municipality. 🏙️ IN RIGA @RSiltums I SEE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR A 30% TARIFF INCREASE. Loud percentages are not enough — precise calculations are needed. First, cheaper “Latvenergo” (@Latvenergo) heat must be used, residual heat, market distortions must be eliminated and consumption reduced. By 16 October, the Ministry of Economics, Climate and Energy and the Ministry of Finance must submit a joint report: what has been done, how much each measure will save and what else is needed. Then we will decide on next steps. 🧾 ACCOUNTANTS POINT OUT 🇱🇻 2.8 BILLION EUR CIRCULATE WITHOUT ACCOUNTING. During the meeting with the Latvian Association of Accountants we discussed the practical side of state decisions. Accountants are the first to see where tax and accounting requirements work and where they only create new bureaucracy. It was suspicious that 43,000 company board managers themselves keep their company's accounts‼️ Here @vid_gov should pay attention to whether the shadow economy is hiding! Moreover, if the Moneyval report is finished, then FID should not think about how to remain AML supervisors and controllers in the current volume, and God forbid take over the same thing that VID is already doing! The budget cannot be put in order with a spreadsheet alone. The rules must be understandable and executable in a company on Monday morning. 🎙️ A DAY WITH 3x PRIME MINISTERIAL DEBATES. In an interview with @KNL_LTV1 (@JanisDomburs) I answered direct questions about the government's work, money, responsibility and what I am ready to do after the elections. Not all answers have to be convenient. It is the prime minister's duty to give them. I also took part in @DelfiLV's programme “Nākamais, lūdzi!”, @LatvijasTV's Latvian Television programme cycle “Partija fokusā”. This week many questions moved from “will we do it?” to “how and by what date?”. That is where real work begins.

✅ Today in government we supported the proposal to rename @Patentu_valde as the Latvian Intellectual Property Office from 1 January 2027. Latvia's growth depends on our ability to create new knowledge and put it to use. It is important that solutions created by researchers and entrepreneurs do not remain mere ideas but become products and services that can compete beyond Latvia as well. That requires a strong intellectual property system and close cooperation between the state, science, and entrepreneurs. Therefore, intellectual property protection is not just a legal matter. It is part of how we build Latvia's economy and strengthen its competitiveness. The institution's new name shows this importance much more clearly. In the institution's further development, we want to strengthen: 🟪 practical support for entrepreneurs and researchers; 🟪 cooperation between the state, science, and business; 🟪 opportunities to turn protected ideas into products and services demanded on the market.

Day No. 82 in the prime minister's chair (WEDNESDAY, 23 Sept.) — SIF fund, FICL investors, the aftertaste of sanctions Today many conversations — with NRA, https://t.co/IMm1XXqGWI, “Postimees” and FICIL foreign investors. In between, work on public administration and the SIF reorganization. 🇪🇺 SANCTIONS — WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS? Yesterday we prevented the collapse of the entire EU sanctions regime. Sanctions against more than 2,600 supporters of Russia's war have been extended for 3 years (36 months). For Usmanov and Fridman we immediately imposed national sanctions in Latvia. FID confirmed today — the freezing of their funds and economic resources in Latvia continues without interruption. The media also wrote a lot today about disagreements in the government. My goal is not to look for conflict. My duty is to ensure that next time Latvia in such a situation does not end up alone in its position at the last moment. The Baltic states must coordinate in advance and speak with one voice on important security issues. 🌍 FICL INVESTORS NEED A PREDICTABLE LATVIA Together with Finance Minister @MarisKucinskis and the Economics Minister's secretary, I met with representatives of the Foreign Investors' Council in Latvia FICIL. Investors do not need another beautiful presentation. They need predictable rules, fast state decisions, accessible human resources and confidence that a project started in Latvia can also be completed. The main thing investors wanted to hear — a vision in energy (clarity on a predictable price); a clearly defined migration policy — what is allowed and what is not; plans and investments in security; solutions for relaxing bank capital repair Our task — less bureaucracy, a more stable tax policy and a state administration that helps investments come in, rather than chasing them around offices for years. ⛽️ 8 CENTS IS NOT 20 CENTS The first solutions are moving through the Saeima to reduce fuel prices by about eight cents per litre from 1 October. FinMin @MarisKucinskis submitted in time the amendments to the law on a reduced excise duty to the lowest permitted level; EkMin @ViktorsValainis had to bring the deferred fuel reserve surcharge (-8 cents/litre), which the minister should have already brought; An additional saving is possible from cancelling the bio-additive in fuel, which is in the hands of KEM minister @JanisVitenbergs, but it must be admitted that the -4 cent saving may not materialise, because most fuel traders have already concluded contracts for the winter season. This is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. My set goal was up to 20 cents per litre, so the work is not finished. People at the fuel pump checkout do not care which ministry prepared which document. They care about the final price. 🏛️ SIF REORGANISATION PLAN With the Culture Minister we discussed the reorganisation of the Society Integration Foundation. Reorganisation must not be just drawing new boxes in a diagram. It must be clear where every euro goes, what result it produces and which functions the state really needs. The same applies to remote work in public administration. It can work where the result is measurable. But it cannot be an automatic privilege if productivity is falling and people receive state services more slowly. Today there were more microphones than meeting tables. That too is part of the prime minister's job — not only to make decisions, but to answer for them. The public must be explained the decisions

@saliktengriba @RigasDome For whom and why is RD buying at least 250 phones?

Day No. 80 in the prime minister's chair (MONDAY, 21 Sept.) — restaurants, fuel prices and Latvia's NO to weakening sanctions 🇱🇻 Monday started with the restaurant sector and ended late in the evening with a fight in Brussels over sanctions. In between — ministers, the faction, the coalition and prime-minister candidate debates. It wasn't boring. 😏 🎂 First — happy birthday to President Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics)! Stamina and energy for the work for Latvia! 🍽️ RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS Hospitality is not a luxury. It is an export industry, jobs and Latvia's business card. We have been talking about a reduced VAT for nine years. Enough talking in circles. We need a concrete model with calculations and a decision deadline — once and for all, we must try and implement an agreement with the industry. In return from the industry — transparent turnover, official salaries and honestly paid taxes. ⛽️ FUEL PRICES In the coalition, we put three immediate solutions on the table that could reduce petrol and diesel prices by up to 20 cents per litre (the maximum possible under the allowed limits from the EU): ➖ excise tax down to the EU-allowed minimum (from the Finance Ministry); ➖ postponing the inclusion of reserve maintenance costs in the price (from the Economy Ministry); ➖ changes to biofuel blending requirements (from the Climate and Energy Ministry). Goal — a reduction from 1 October. Diesel is the lifeblood of Latvia's economy. We cannot wait. 67% of Latvia's car fleet runs on diesel. 📈 LTRK DEBATES Entrepreneurs want more investment, greater exports and less bureaucracy from the next government. I agree. Latvia will not become wealthier just by redistributing the existing money. We need to earn more. A strong economy means a strong state and strong defence. 🇪🇺 SANCTIONS In the evening Latvia did not support the compromise prepared by the Irish presidency. Extending sanctions for 36 months is the right step. But the price for it must not be the simple removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. Latvia said NO. I convened an emergency government meeting, and we continue working with Brussels and Paris to achieve a solution that corresponds to Latvia's security interests. For a prime minister, every day really is like a Monday. 🎙️

@ManTaisniba @inesevoika Yes, there was a time when Voika with “Delna” officially supposedly supervised the privatization of Latvian Shipping (supposedly, so that everything would be fair), but Lembergs quietly privatized it under this cover and pocketed it…

Today I was in Daugavpils, and we also visited several companies. I was surprised. They produce world-class equipment that is exported to 170 countries. German police, foreign services, airports. What kind of equipment? Passport inspection scanners, for example. Equipment for examining forged documents and the like. Our airport has them too. There is only one country in the world where their operations are planned to be cancelled. That is Latvia. Which country to evacuate to? Maybe not necessary. We will try to fix this legislator's mistake.

@GundegaFelicity @Braze_Baiba @AndrisKulbergs For example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have timely submitted information to the Cabinet of Ministers that the relevant situation was developing.

Even the independent judiciary has put everything on hold for three years…

There is a lot. And no, the presentation contains what has never been shown to the public before. The three scenarios have not been shown. Plus with the latest updated data, which is also fresh. And additionally, we have done a lot. These are just summary numbers, we have a very extensive material underneath. Every corner has been searched. Options where we could save something, consolidate (duplication of functions) and the like. A menu for the next coalition. Various choices. Just don't take me for a fool either. In the pre-election fuss, such things won't come out of the Finance Ministry. It has happened before with the previous minister. You give the menu, but the political manipulation specialists present it as 'The Ministry of Finance is preparing ... either to raise taxes or to take bread from German children'. From Shurik's creativity. We are not preparing anything and there is no such function. When the new coalition sits down at the table and understands what it wants to do, which scenario to choose, then I can give the menu. Chicken, meatball or kebab. Choose! 🙂

For the Prime Minister, every day is like Monday 🎙️ A year after our first conversation, I am again a guest on the podcast “Virziens”. Back then I was a Saeima deputy. Now — Prime Minister. The position is different, but the conversation is still open and on familiar terms. In four months you can get a lot moving, but you cannot remake a country in one go. Problems that have been accumulating for years cannot be solved with one loud statement or another “restart”. In this conversation we talked about things for which there are no easy answers: 💶 how to sort out state finances without pretending that the deficit will disappear on its own; ✈️ what is actually happening with airBaltic and why the state can no longer bear the whole burden alone; 🚆 how to finish Rail Baltica sensibly, rather than keep paying for past mistakes; 💻 why the state still overpays for IT solutions; 🏢 how to manage state companies more professionally and finally make capital work; ⚖️ why politics is not a business and why decisions there take more time; 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 what the prime minister's job demands from a family and why in this position every day is Monday. Without slogans and embellishment. About what I have seen in four months, what we have started to change, and what still lies ahead. If you want to understand not only what the government is doing, but also — why, watch the latest “Virziens” episode. 👇 🎥 https://t.co/3faT9tGL9H

Day No. 76 in the prime minister's seat (Tuesday) – Cabinet meeting already with -1 minister 😏 I returned from Lapland, but the Cabinet of Ministers has become one minister smaller during this time. 🏛️ Cabinet meeting – getting more and more amusing. The approach of elections can already be felt in almost every coalition partnership. The first government meeting with -1 minister – Uzulnieks is replaced by Augulis, but since Valainis is on a business trip, Augulis actually represented as many as 3 ZZS ministries today. 😄 🌾🚂🇷🇺 grains and Latvian farmers' exports We adopted a decision to increase the railway infrastructure fee for 🇷🇺 grain cargo. Our priority – export of Latvian farmers' products and the competitiveness of our own entrepreneurs. 📏 60 m² of land and the absurdity of bureaucracy Today I learned about yet another bureaucratic nonsense. The state is disposing of 60 m² of land, for which the owner is paid approximately €23, because that is the value of the land. But to carry out this transaction: ➖️ an appraisal costs about €200–300; ➖️ land surveying – another €1000–2000; ➖️ additionally, surveyor costs come on top. This is total nonsense. I tasked the Minister of Justice, Mr. Smiltēns, to immediately look for a solution and remove this unnecessary bureaucracy in cases where such small plots of land are involved. 🚌 €9.8 million to intercity bus operators We adopted a decision to pay bus operators €9.8 million in debt for intercity bus services. This problem has been dragging on unresolved for more than the tenure of two transport ministers of the previous government. At the same time, I tasked the Minister of Transport to bring a long-term solution already in October. Companies must know under what rules to work and how to plan their business further – they cannot live in uncertainty every year. 🎙️ LDDK/LTRK prime ministerial debates @AlvisHermanis1 did not come to the debate. Pity, because this was the right place to defend your ideas and position. I specifically wanted to hear: ➖️ what his plan for Latvia's economic growth is; ➖️ how to attract more investment; ➖️ how to increase Latvia's exports. I also find interesting the publicly voiced reproaches to LDDK and @LTRK_uznemeji about labor migration. Here, however, one should rely on facts, not loud slogans. 📊 Looking at the data on the so-called "pseudo student" problem, it is concentrated in specific universities – and @RostovskisA Turība is not among them. Whereas @darbadeveji itself does not in any way promote illegal migration. Also, for example, the Karavela led by @AndrisBite employs third-country workers legally and in a relatively small volume – mainly because in Latvia there simply are not people willing to do such physically demanding work. 👉 Migration must be discussed seriously. But more importantly – based on data, facts, and the real situation, not statements.