Latvian Political Monitor

Day No. 81 in the prime minister's chair (TUESDAY, 22 Sept.) — sanctions, “RailBaltica” and work with the state wallet. The morning began with office coordination, documents and preparation for the Cabinet of Ministers meeting. Next — an economic action discussion, a call of Baltic prime ministers, a government meeting and a press conference. 🇪🇺 SANCTIONS — 🇱🇻 HELD OUT TO THE LAST Latvia was the only EU country out of 27 to object until the very last against the removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. In the end, the choice was not between good and bad. It was between bad and much more terrible — changing the status of two persons or the collapse of the entire sanctions regime. Latvia constructively abstained. As a result, sanctions against almost 3,000 supporters of Russia's war were extended for 36 months, not as before — every six months, meaning no one will be able to touch them for 3 years. Until now, they had to be re-confirmed every 6 months. At the same time, we immediately imposed Latvian national sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman. In Latvia, their funds and economic resources remain frozen. Thanks to @Arlietas, the diplomatic corps and Minister @Braze_Baiba for the work, as well as the President @edgarsrinkevics for coordinating 🇱🇻 position from NY. 🇫🇷🛡️ STRONGER SECURITY FOR LATVIA Through intensive negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron, we reached an agreement to start talks on Latvia joining France's nuclear deterrence initiative. France has also pledged to strengthen its military presence in Latvia — especially in air defence. Security 🇱🇻 is concrete allied presence, capabilities and deterrence. 🚆 “RAILBALTICA” — BALTIC PRIME MINISTERS AGREE ON 2034 With the Lithuanian and Estonian prime ministers, we agreed on a common Baltic position and signed a 3x countries' declaration for the project's implementation. 2030 is not realistic, because RB would have to be implemented without EU funding because the new fund money is only available in 2029, and we have to finance security from the national budget. Therefore, all 3 Baltic countries agree on a realistic first-stage target — 2034. In the next EU financing period, the Baltic states will jointly ask the EU for predictable funding for the project's implementation, while on their side there is a commitment to review unnecessarily high technical requirements to reduce costs by several billion and speed up construction timelines. CUTTING THE COSTS OF THE STATE APPARATUS I signed an order to freeze the base salaries of officials also in 2027. It also applies to the prime minister, ministers and Saeima deputies. The Ministry of Finance has been tasked with preparing proposals to limit state spending — reviewing bonuses, service spending, long-standing vacancies and other expenses. Money will no longer be squandered in DECEMBER. It is also required to freeze all DECEMBER procurement. We in the state have a habit of unnecessarily spending the state budget in December with unnecessary expenses — it must be stopped so that the money stays in 2027. If we demand that the state save, we must start with ourselves. 🛂 CLEARER MIGRATION POLICY The government approved a 71-measure plan for stricter control of third-country nationals' entry, employment and studies. Some proposals still require amendments to laws, but the direction is clear — Latvia needs a migration policy that actually works. It was not a short day. But the prime minister's chair is not meant for comfort.

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. 🎙️

@jemberga @inesevoika Let's not compare ourselves with a country at war.

All shelter locations on one map 🗺️📢 The State Land Service, in cooperation with the State Fire and Rescue Service, has created a shelter map that shows shelter locations in one place. The map is freely available to everyone without authorization on the portal. I encourage everyone to check where shelters are located near your home, workplace, and children's schools. It is the state's duty to help prepare for a potential crisis and make important information easily accessible. The shelter map is a concrete step in this direction; work on civil defense must continue! Thanks to the State Land Service and the State Fire and Rescue Service for this joint effort! View the map here: https://t.co/1iWtJlGN5d

#krīviski https://t.co/t6liPTqYfN

Day No. 79 (FRIDAY 18 Sept) — The new European MFF budget in the Saeima, meeting with security services 🎾 I opened the best padel sports centre in Latvia and all Europe – “LNK Industries” have invested more than €10 million of private money to host a world-class championship in Latvia, attracting the 300 best top-level athletes from around the world. I will always support our own entrepreneurs. This will certainly give a big push to the development of padel sport in Latvia. 🏛️ In the Saeima I went to the European Affairs Committee I explained to the parliament deputies the government's position in the negotiations in the European Council with leaders and the Commission on the new EU 7-year budget: ➖ This budget will be more challenging than any previous one, because negotiations take place when the EU economy is stagnating, there is the impact of the war caused by Russia, support for Ukraine, the eve of major political changes, as well as the impact of the Hormuz conflict on inflation and energy ➖ The paying countries, especially Germany, see no possibility to pay what is asked, while the receiving ones this time absolutely do not back down from their needs – the EU Commission and António Costa will have a very difficult time reaching an agreement by the end of the year ➖ I pointed out that Latvia suffers at least €1 billion per year, or due to the threat from the eastern neighbour, GDP is 1.9 percentage points weaker than the EU average, while inflation is 3.7 percentage points higher than the EU average. That will be €7 billion in 7 years, and in parallel Latvia spends the most on direct defence, borrowing “SAFE” money, which creates an even greater debt burden, while our direct military purchases warm the economies of Spain, Germany, Sweden and Finland ➖ Latvia historically receives smaller direct payments for farmers in Europe – this unfairly arose many years ago due to incorrectly made calculations. I remind about this every time I meet ➖ The new EU budget envelope is completely different than before, because the EU very cunningly packs together cohesion and agricultural funding, leaving its redistribution to each member state. The problem-solving is shifted to the national levels of 27 countries, not a centralized agreement as before. That means we in Latvia will have to agree very seriously and responsibly on the correct allocation of these funds ➖ Latvia currently unofficially has a calculated larger EU funds budget than the previous envelope, but when recalculated in nominal prices, it turns out that the new one is smaller! A serious fight lies ahead to win a fair result for Latvia, especially considering how much we invest in strengthening the EU's external border and security 🕵️‍♂️ I met with MIDD, SAB and VDD about the security situation in the country ➖ The main conclusion – especially German, but also Polish, French and other countries' societies are little informed about Russian threats and hybrid attacks, thus not paying enough attention to national investments in defence and support for Ukraine ➖ The loud rhetoric is mainly intended for internal, not international, communication. In Latvia, on the other hand, there is an overly informed and sensitive society that perceives this common background with a certain level of anxiety ➖ This is also where this imbalance arises between European leaders' desire to mobilise their societies, which indirectly affects Latvian people, increasing concerns ➖ The Russians are certainly ready to carry out various provocations, and the services do not rule out such a possibility – at present the services have no more specifics, and the threat level remains as before Our greatest attention is focused on security measures during the elections, so we have asked, and the Germans have agreed to send us fighter jets to additionally watch over our airspace 💪🇱🇻

@true_soldierAGI I have given interviews to EuroNews, FRA media, Balt and others. No one is laughing about 🇱🇻 anywhere, actually they are proud, especially 🇺🇦, because we stand to the end.

Day No. 78 (THURSDAY 17 Sept) — Meeting with US envoy John Coale and the Swedish ARCHER howitzer story; LIZDA 🤝 Meeting at the Cabinet of Ministers with the US D. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) envoy on Belarusian affairs, John Coale (@johnpcoale). So active, sharp-minded and with a good sense of humour – I was surprised to learn that he is already 80 years old. ➖ He had just returned from a meeting with Lukashenko, where, thanks to his efforts, a large number of political prisoners were released ➖ It was a very substantive conversation in which we discussed the situation in Belarus, the US role, the war in Ukraine and the issue of Russia and Ukraine's grain blockade ➖ I particularly highlighted Russia's organised hybrid attack with the flow of illegal migrants to the LV border through Belarus, in which special services participate and which they organise – I presented the latest figures and measures ➖ I stressed that US–Latvian economic relations cooperation must be changed and raised to a new level from 15th place into the TOP 5️⃣ – I mentioned the military industry, the energy sector and US cargo flows from Central Asia ➖ He promised to discuss the Latvian question with D. Trump 🛡️ The defence deal question on the ARCHER system from Sweden 🤷‍♂️ It is incomprehensible what motives drove the previous defence minister not to make a decision for 2 years on the purchase of the defence system and howitzers. To me it is a mystery, because if the decision had been made, we would already have had systems delivered that would fill a significant pillar of Latvia's critical defence plan. ➖ Because of the delayed and unadopted procurement decision, it is now necessary to assess which supplier is more suitable so that we can fill this position as quickly as possible. With the Czech 'Morana' system, this can be done at least 1.5 years faster ➖ Capabilities and total costs are also not unimportant. The Czech system works with all NATO and Latvia-held 155 mm ammunition, and there is a very large financial difference – we simply do not have the resources in the Ministry of Defence budget to buy the expensive Swedish systems. Moreover, the Czech manufacturer will localise 20% of production in Latvia – that means jobs, taxes and production capacity! ➖ The NBS already a year ago and again now confirmed point by point that it is not changing its assessment – for Latvia's needs the Czech system is more suitable because it covers the needs fastest 👥 Meeting with LIZDA (@lizda_lv) ➖ We talked about education reform and the fact that changes need to be less frequent and smaller. Schools and teachers are very tired of constant changes ➖ We discussed budget issues – I listened to LIZDA's and teachers' demands, while LIZDA's head Inga Vanaga also listened to my and the Cabinet's questions about state finances and the budget 📡 Meeting with OTAN ➖ OTAN military communication system that can combine all communication networks into one – a solution for civil protection services and municipalities to be in a single communication system. It is a very worth-considering option to deploy it across all Latvia, not only for military needs in the border area. I will speak with Raivis Melnis about funding 💪🇱🇻 📰 I gave interviews to Bloomberg magazine and , LIZDA

Support for Ukraine is Latvia's security policy. And that must be demonstrated with deeds. @Apvienotais_ has supported Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion — in municipalities, the Saeima, the government and the European Parliament. The 'Twitter convoy' led by Reinis Pozņaks continues to deliver the cars Ukraine so badly needs. The government has also made concrete decisions on military support. And last week in Kyiv I signed a cooperation memorandum between Latvia's and Ukraine's justice ministries to help strengthen the rule of law, the resilience of the judicial system in crises, and Ukraine's path to the European Union. This cooperation is mutual: we help Ukraine, and from Ukraine's experience we learn how to strengthen Latvia's security as well. 🇱🇻🇺🇦 🎥 Video: Delfi TV debate 'Next, please!' on Latvia's place in the world (23.09.)

@SandrisSabajevs @Braze_Baiba @AndrisKulbergs One more small remark — in my opinion, none of us here among those mentioned are against sanctions, let alone against those orc scoundrels. There is really no other way to call them👌

Russia wants us to be afraid and stop helping Ukraine. We will not play this game. After what I have seen in Ukraine, I take especially seriously the risk that Russia will intensify attacks on infrastructure before winter and try to hamper the delivery of allied aid. At the same time, it is trying to sow fear here in Latvia too. Our answer must be clear: we strengthen Latvia's defence and continue to support Ukraine. These are one and the same security interests. Every step that strengthens Ukraine's ability to defend itself also helps protect our region. We will not give in to intimidation. We will act together with our allies. 🎥 Video: Delfi TV debate “Next, please!” about Latvia's place in the world (23.09.)

@SandrisSabajevs @Braze_Baiba @AndrisKulbergs The reproach is that the PM has to do the direct duties of the MFA. Important duties! Diplomats' work is to handle such matters, not for the PM to call emergency Cabinet meetings. Am I wrong? Correct me if I'm not🤝

The Finance Minister announced his choice this morning on the Morning News. The medium scenario. Why? Well, because right now it's not realistic to fill the hole that has arisen by adding an additional 3% of GDP for defense. And no country can do that. Absolutely none. So what then? Well, one option would be at least not to use the allowed increase in borrowing for defense plus 1.5% of GDP, but to try to keep the deficit at the old 3%. Which is also very difficult to do. In a normalized (not war preparation) budget, that would be a balanced budget. We don't have a normal situation. Defense has to be financed at all costs, and then some deficit inevitably arises. But that has to be accepted. But what the new coalition or even any specific party will decide - we'll see, there are still many faints and debates ahead.

What are you going to purge? Well, then say it! Lay off the army, police, doctors, or teachers? They are all in the public sector. At all levels, you can barely scrape together 100 million from civil servants. Not billions by any means. Then, whether you like it or not, you will have to answer to those who will be elected. If you are so eager for power, realize that it will be you who will have to do something like that, and then your own brothers and sisters will cut off your head. That is exactly what happened to the French with that revolution. After all, you too are revolutionaries?

Latvia agrees to a compromise, but does not change its principled position. We objected to the last minute against the removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the EU sanctions list. Latvia was the only EU country that fought for this until the very end of the negotiations. It was a morally correct position, and our friends in Ukraine saw and appreciated it. However, the government had to make a responsible decision. The choice was not between a good and a bad solution. The choice was between changing the status of two individuals and the risk of losing the entire sanctions regime applying to more than 2,600 Russian war supporters, individuals and companies. Therefore, Latvia's representative will abstain in the vote. This will allow the sanctions to be extended not for the usual six months, but for 36 months. For the next three years, it will be much harder for the Kremlin and its allies to try to split Europe and trade over the future of sanctions every six months. At the same time, Latvia does not step back: 🔒 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with immediately preparing the legal basis for imposing national sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman; 💶 we will use all legal instruments to prevent the release of their funds and economic resources in Latvia; 🛡️ in talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, we reached an agreement to start negotiations on Latvia's involvement in the French nuclear deterrence initiative; ✈️ France is ready to strengthen its military presence in Latvia, especially in the area of air defense; 🇺🇦 I personally informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian Prime Minister about Latvia's decision. Ukraine understands our position and supports the need to maintain a unified European sanctions regime. Latvia will not allow the sanctions regime against thousands of Russian war supporters to collapse because of two individuals. We maintained our political position, safeguarded the continuation of sanctions and at the same time achieved a significant strengthening of Latvia's security. As long as Russia continues the war, Latvia will continue to stand on Ukraine's side. Firmly and without retreat.