Political posts and news in Defense from Apvienotais saraksts, from monitored Latvian public sources.
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Andris Kulbergs (@AndrisKulbergs)
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ministru prezidents
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Thank you, @GiorgiaMeloni , for your warm wishes and support. It meant even more to receive your call and have the opportunity to speak with you personally.
We must continue strengthening the friendship between Italy 🇮🇹 and Latvia 🇱🇻 and work together to make our 🇪🇺 stronger — defending Europe against aggression while investing in both our defence and our economies.
We share the same values, and that is fundamental to our European identity, strength and unity. 🇪🇺
Congratulations to @AndrisKulbergs on the clear victory in the elections in Latvia. An important result, which confirms the will of the Latvian people to defend their freedom, their security and their belonging to Europe and the West.
Italy will continue to work together with Latvia for a stronger, safer Europe capable of defending its own interests and values.
Good work, Andris!
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ministru prezidents
Reply
Thank you, Giorgia, for your warm wishes and support. It meant even more to receive your call and have the opportunity to speak with you personally.
We must continue strengthening the friendship between Italy 🇮🇹 and Latvia 🇱🇻 and work together to make our 🇪🇺 stronger — defending Europe against aggression while investing in both our defence and our economies.
We share the same values, and that is fundamental to our European identity, strength and unity. 🇪🇺
Congratulations to @AndrisKulbergs on the clear victory in the elections in Latvia. An important result, which confirms the will of the Latvian people to defend their freedom, their security and their belonging to Europe and the West.
Italy will continue to work together with Latvia for a stronger, safer Europe that is capable of defending its own interests and values.
Good work, Andris!
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.
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.
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
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
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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 · Tieslietu ministrs
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3️⃣ of 3️⃣ priority tasks in the Ministry of Justice completed ✅ In four months, a compensation procedure for victims of military incidents has been introduced, judicial administration reform has been adopted, and cooperation with Ukraine has been strengthened. In the Saeima, we are also advancing a solution for the future status of Ukrainian civilians in Latvia. These four months have required difficult decisions and firm determination to act. We started government work with many long-standing issues, but with the team's perseverance we have achieved concrete results. I have met with industry associations and professional organizations to understand the problems in depth and hear from people who face them daily. Their experience helps shape solutions that work in practice. My duty is to ensure that a person can rely on the state when they need help or must defend their rights. That is how I evaluate every decision we advance.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Tieslietu ministrs
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⏱️ In 1 minute: the main accomplishments in the office of Minister of Justice
In four months we have achieved concrete results in all three priorities set by @Tieslietas: assistance to victims of military incidents, a stronger and more independent judiciary, support for Ukraine. At the same time, we have reduced bureaucracy and strengthened election security.
Behind each of this work is a person who needs help, a timely court decision, or certainty about their future. That is exactly how policy results should be measured.
My responsibility is to ensure that the state is able to protect, help, and provide justice. With such determination I will continue the work I have started! 🇱🇻
Polish FM Sikorski:
"Kremlin’s assets frozen in Europe are never going back to Russia. They can be used in the future as war reparations or to help Ukraine rebuild, or they can be used now to help prevent further destruction and make future reconstruction cheaper.
Unfortunately, even if the war ends tomorrow, Russia will remain a threat. We cannot afford to once again underestimate the danger of Moscow’s militarism.
Europe is not a global empire and does not intend to become one. We don’t need military bases in every corner of the world. We need to be strong enough to deter Putin." - @sikorskiradek
Ukrainian civilians in Latvia need clarity about their future status.
Many Ukrainian civilians have been living in Latvia for more than four years. They work, pay taxes, and their children attend Latvian schools and learn the Latvian language.
The draft law reviewed in the Saeima sets out clear conditions under which Ukrainian civilians who have long resided in Latvia could receive permanent residence permits.
At the same time, a condition is provided that Ukrainian men who apply for a permanent residence permit would have to submit confirmation from the competent Ukrainian authority of exemption from conscription for active service.
Clear rules and legal predictability are important both for people who are building their lives in Latvia and for our country as a whole.
#APVIENOTAISSARAKSTS#MumsIrRisinājums#LatvijaMumsIrRisinājums#Ukraina#AtbalstsUkrainai#Saeima
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Tieslietu ministrs
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Russia will not succeed in intimidating us. Together with Estonia, we will continue to support Ukraine and ensure the aggressor is held accountable. Those who ordered the crimes must also answer for them. Ukraine's security is also Latvia's security. https://t.co/qXOFrZ8BlM
Day No. 85 in the prime minister's chair (Monday) – 💰 Parties — who promises more? 📊 Budget scenarios; 🇳🇵 News from Nepal
The day was spent working with @MarisKucinskis, @Finmin and @Valstskase officials and managers, analysing state finances, economic forecasts, saving opportunities and various scenarios.
📊 Figures, data and facts:
➖ The financial policy and spending management of previous governments have long been irresponsible — the budget deficit has been kept at the maximum possible limit, regularly borrowing money also for everyday spending. Such an approach had become the norm, and the whole Latvian society and sectors have become accustomed to this model.
➖ In 2028, the largest budget deficit is forecast — €2.7 billion, or 5.4%!
➖ Just servicing the state debt, i.e. interest payments, will already cost €681 million next year. This money will have to be found somewhere — so somewhere less will have to be spent.
Debt servicing costs have risen from €155 million in 2021 to €681 million in 2027, because the price of money has become significantly higher.
➖ By 2030, the budget plans adopted by New Unity's finance ministers and prime minister provide for a deficit of around €2 billion every year. That is not safe and sustainable management of state finances.
➖ The Siliņa government (JV) left behind decisions adopted in the Cabinet of Ministers or laws worth €421 million in 2027, and this amount rises to €663 million in 2030 — WITHOUT ANY FINANCIAL COVERAGE.
Of which:
🏥 €264 million — for health care
👩🏫 €56 million — for teachers' salaries
➖ Latvia's current and forecast economic growth is stagnatingly low — around +2% a year, but its contribution to the budget is largely eaten up by forecast annual inflation of +3.5%.
➖ The largest increase in budget expenditure is for defence and security — +32%, amounting to around €2 billion a year.
➖ The state has long been programmed to live at the maximum permissible budget deficit, without reviewing existing expenditure and on top of that adding another +1.5% of borrowing for security, which the 🇪🇺EU allows to be additionally included in the deficit for three years.
Conclusion?
👉We do not review existing budget expenditure.
👉We continue to live on debt.
👉And we borrow even more, because we are allowed to do so.
That is not right.
➖ Also noteworthy is the manoeuvre of E. Siliņa's (JV) government, borrowing 1% from the 2nd pension level. That too will have to be paid back into the budget — an impact of around €280 million in 2029.
➖ Also in 2029, the term expires for the additional tax imposed on banks, i.e. the windfall tax. As a result, the state budget will also lose these additional revenues.
➖ One of the biggest problems in budget planning is politically adopted decisions to "tie" spending in specific sectors to a certain percentage — for example, 6% of GDP for health care — or to automatically index wages.
If a budget expenditure is tied to a specific %, the whole expenditure part automatically increases as GDP or another variable grows — without any new government or Saeima decision.
✅ There is also good news.
The Ministry of Finance and @kucinskis have been working since July, reviewing the ministries' base expenditure, and have already found €214 million in savings in the 2027 budget base.
That is a step in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to do. We must continue to optimise expenditure so that there is money to cover already planned and adopted commitments for which no revenues have been identified.
📕 One thing is clear to me — the next government will have to adopt an iron-fisted "2027–2030 FISCAL STABILITY AND REFORM PLAN", more precisely — a special law, similar to during Covid.
The way out of this financial situation is not a simple spending-cutting plan. That will not be enough this time.
📈 The economy and budget revenues must be grown rapidly, with the main emphasis on the opportunities of export-capable companies.
I believe this is possible, because such slow economic growth can and should be increased by at least +1.5 percentage points a year. That would give the budget an additional around €300 million in revenue.
💶 But we need to save already today — already for 2027.
That is why the ministers agreed:
⛔ To stop the typical DECEMBER waste — meaninglessly spending the balances of ministries and institutions at the end of the year.
⛔ From 1 October, to suspend the conclusion of any new contracts and commitments. A similar moratorium as in the ICT area — if something is truly necessary, the need and usefulness must be proven.
🧊 To freeze salaries at the 2025 level.
⛔ To stop paying DECEMBER bonuses and extra payments — an exception may be allowed only for special achievements and with a manager's justification.
⛔ To stop unnecessary events, seminars, conferences, consultations and studies, as well as office and equipment renewal, IT and other investments that are not critically necessary.
🔍 Ministers must take political responsibility and, together with state secretaries and heads of institutions, review and justify any budget expenditure above €50,000.
🗳️ PARTIES — WHO PROMISES MORE?
Given this stark budget reality and the legacy left in state finances, where even borrowing up to the maximum 🇪🇺EU-permitted budget deficit limit is not enough, the pre-election promises of political parties stand out in particular.
They can no longer be measured in hundreds of millions — they are already measured in billions of euros, moreover without financial coverage and without a real economic growth offer.
I have analysed the programmes of several political parties and summarised each party's promises in monetary terms for the period from 2027 to 2030.
🏆 The political "Promisers" record-holders for the next four years:
🥇 No.1 — Suverēnā Vara / Jaunlatvieši (Stepaņenko wants to give benefits, cut VAT, raise wages): +€3.61 billion
🥈 No.2 — @LatvijaPirmaja (@SlesersAinars – we lower 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 to borrow endlessly): +€1.56 billion
6️⃣ @tblv Nacionālā Apvienība — (wants to fund language, education, culture and fight illegal migration, without thinking about the ECONOMY): +€1.55 billion
7️⃣ @Apvienotais_ — main emphasis on education, which will pay off in the future, with a justification of where we will get the funding: +€763 million
🇳🇵 NEPAL
In the Nepalese context — all those belonging to Latvia are still in the status of missing persons.
According to the Civil Law, one must wait until April 2027 to change this status and relatives can start arranging the necessary documents.
Until then — hope dies last.
The Latvian government is ready to help in every possible way, if such a need arises.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ministru prezidents
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Day No. 85 in the prime minister's chair (Monday) – 💰 Parties — who promises more? 📊 Budget scenarios; 🇳🇵 News from Nepal
The day was spent working with @MarisKucinskis, @Finmin and @Valstskase officials and managers, analysing state finances, economic forecasts, saving opportunities and various scenarios.
📊 Figures, data and facts:
➖ The financial policy and spending management of previous governments have long been irresponsible — the budget deficit has been kept at the maximum possible limit, regularly borrowing money also for everyday spending. Such an approach had become the norm, and the whole Latvian society and sectors have become accustomed to this model.
➖ In 2028, the largest budget deficit is forecast — €2.7 billion, or 5.4%!
➖ Just servicing the state debt, i.e. interest payments, will already cost €681 million next year. This money will have to be found somewhere — so somewhere less will have to be spent.
Debt servicing costs have risen from €155 million in 2021 to €681 million in 2027, because the price of money has become significantly higher.
➖ By 2030, the budget plans adopted by New Unity's finance ministers and prime minister provide for a deficit of around €2 billion every year. That is not safe and sustainable management of state finances.
➖ The Siliņa government (JV) left behind decisions adopted in the Cabinet of Ministers or laws worth €421 million in 2027, and this amount rises to €663 million in 2030 — WITHOUT ANY FINANCIAL COVERAGE.
Of which:
🏥 €264 million — for health care
👩🏫 €56 million — for teachers' salaries
➖ Latvia's current and forecast economic growth is stagnatingly low — around +2% a year, but its contribution to the budget is largely eaten up by forecast annual inflation of +3.5%.
➖ The largest increase in budget expenditure is for defence and security — +32%, amounting to around €2 billion a year.
➖ The state has long been programmed to live at the maximum permissible budget deficit, without reviewing existing expenditure and on top of that adding another +1.5% of borrowing for security, which the 🇪🇺EU allows to be additionally included in the deficit for three years.
Conclusion?
👉We do not review existing budget expenditure.
👉We continue to live on debt.
👉And we borrow even more, because we are allowed to do so.
That is not right.
➖ Also noteworthy is the manoeuvre of E. Siliņa's (JV) government, borrowing 1% from the 2nd pension level. That too will have to be paid back into the budget — an impact of around €280 million in 2029.
➖ Also in 2029, the term expires for the additional tax imposed on banks, i.e. the windfall tax. As a result, the state budget will also lose these additional revenues.
➖ One of the biggest problems in budget planning is politically adopted decisions to "tie" spending in specific sectors to a certain percentage — for example, 6% of GDP for health care — or to automatically index wages.
If a budget expenditure is tied to a specific %, the whole expenditure part automatically increases as GDP or another variable grows — without any new government or Saeima decision.
✅ There is also good news.
The Ministry of Finance and @kucinskis have been working since July, reviewing the ministries' base expenditure, and have already found €214 million in savings in the 2027 budget base.
That is a step in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to do. We must continue to optimise expenditure so that there is money to cover already planned and adopted commitments for which no revenues have been identified.
📕 One thing is clear to me — the next government will have to adopt an iron-fisted "2027–2030 FISCAL STABILITY AND REFORM PLAN", more precisely — a special law, similar to during Covid.
The way out of this financial situation is not a simple spending-cutting plan. That will not be enough this time.
📈 The economy and budget revenues must be grown rapidly, with the main emphasis on the opportunities of export-capable companies.
I believe this is possible, because such slow economic growth can and should be increased by at least +1.5 percentage points a year. That would give the budget an additional around €300 million in revenue.
💶 But we need to save already today — already for 2027.
That is why the ministers agreed:
⛔ To stop the typical DECEMBER waste — meaninglessly spending the balances of ministries and institutions at the end of the year.
⛔ From 1 October, to suspend the conclusion of any new contracts and commitments. A similar moratorium as in the ICT area — if something is truly necessary, the need and usefulness must be proven.
🧊 To freeze salaries at the 2025 level.
⛔ To stop paying DECEMBER bonuses and extra payments — an exception may be allowed only for special achievements and with a manager's justification.
⛔ To stop unnecessary events, seminars, conferences, consultations and studies, as well as office and equipment renewal, IT and other investments that are not critically necessary.
🔍 Ministers must take political responsibility and, together with state secretaries and heads of institutions, review and justify any budget expenditure above €50,000.
🗳️ PARTIES — WHO PROMISES MORE?
Given this stark budget reality and the legacy left in state finances, where even borrowing up to the maximum 🇪🇺EU-permitted budget deficit limit is not enough, the pre-election promises of political parties stand out in particular.
They can no longer be measured in hundreds of millions — they are already measured in billions of euros, moreover without financial coverage and without a real economic growth offer.
I have analysed the programmes of several political parties and summarised each party's promises in monetary terms for the period from 2027 to 2030.
🏆 The political "Promisers" record-holders for the next four years:
🥇 No.1 — Suverēnā Vara / Jaunlatvieši (Stepaņenko wants to give benefits, cut VAT, raise wages): +€3.61 billion
🥈 No.2 — @LatvijaPirmaja (@SlesersAinars – we lower 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 to borrow endlessly): +€1.56 billion
6️⃣ @tblv Nacionālā Apvienība — (wants to fund language, education, culture and fight illegal migration, without thinking about the ECONOMY): +€1.55 billion
7️⃣ @Apvienotais_ — main emphasis on education, which will pay off in the future, with a justification of where we will get the funding: +€763 million
🇳🇵 NEPAL
In the Nepalese context — all those belonging to Latvia are still in the status of missing persons.
According to the Civil Law, one must wait until April 2027 to change this status and relatives can start arranging the necessary documents.
Until then — hope dies last.
The Latvian government is ready to help in every possible way, if such a need arises.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Finanšu ministrs
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To help Ukrainians! @LatvijasLoto, within the Good Cause programme, with the approval of @Finmin as shareholder, is donating 5 company cars in support of Ukraine. Soon they will reach the association "Bruņotava" to go further to Ukraine and serve where they are most needed right now. https://t.co/1ujILtORJU
Britain offered Finland and the Baltic states a “nuclear umbrella”
British nuclear-powered submarines are to form the backbone of the deterrence system.
According to Commander of the Royal Navy Gwyn Jenkins, the new nuclear deterrence would extend to JEF units and would not require activation of Article 5 of NATO.
The JEF includes the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Ministru prezidents
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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
APVIENOTAIS SARAKSTS - Latvijas Zaļā partija, Latvijas Reģionu Apvienība, Liepājas partija · Biedrības 'Latvijas restarts' biedrs
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@taisnibaskalps@Krisjanis_K I haven't seen such a vacancy yet, let alone applied. To be honest, it never even crosses my mind to become a welcomer. Quite the opposite, at the first opportunity I would go, e.g., to the Belarus border to help National Guard members, if needed. But yes, we cannot completely close ourselves off. That is a fact.
@CerinsAivis@Krisjanis_K Aivi, how much and who pays you for praising migrants? Honestly, I don't believe that a normal Latvian, seeing what is happening in the world with countries that let in the blacks, is still able to see anything good in it. We have about 300,000 Latvians outside Latvia, they need to be somehow brought back, not the blacks.
We have seen historical photos of prisoners from Auschwitz and Dachau. These photos are from 2026. They show Ukrainian prisoners of war in russian camps. https://t.co/dgD2HyMpes