Latvian Political Monitor

We push back, only a small number get in.

Day No. 54 in the prime minister's seat – immigration law, hospital reform, energy, and again the old unresolved issues. Today the day started early with a security meeting on the illegal immigration counteraction plan – we will inform the public tomorrow. It is a very good plan and it will be put into effect immediately. But in parallel, several serious issues are on the government's agenda. 🛂 IMMIGRATION LAW / TUA FOR INVESTORS The President has returned to the Saeima for re-review the amendments to the Immigration Law on temporary residence permits for foreign investors. We must make a clear choice – whether we want to fill the state budget mainly with the help of foreign students working at Bolt/Wolt, or whether we are able to attract wealthy people who invest in Latvia, create companies, buy property and pay taxes. I have repeatedly stressed – 🇱🇻 the foundation of national security is a strong economy. For the economy to grow, we ourselves must be brave enough to make bold and competitive decisions. 🏠 The housing stock deficit exists in practically all regions of Latvia. For example, the Vidzeme hospital lacks qualified medical staff also because people who would be ready to work there simply have nowhere to live. My proposal provides: ➖️ an investor who wishes to receive a TUA in Latvia must provide a much greater economic contribution to the state; ➖️ increase the direct payment to the state budget to €50,000 over five years; ➖️ at the same time, ensure real investments in Latvia's economy; ➖️ in the next step, create an opportunity for these people to become Latvian tax residents, paying a fixed €60,000 tax per year – a kind of Latvian tax “subscription”. 📊 If we could attract 1,000 investors this way: ➡️ €50 million directly to the state budget; ➡️ more than €100 million in investments in Latvia's economy; ➡️ in the case of tax residence, up to another €300 million over five years. Total potential contribution – around half a billion euros in five years. That is a completely different scale. 👶 WORKING PARENTS' BENEFIT In the coalition we agreed on amendments to the Maternity and Sickness Insurance Law (initiated by @Jauna_Vienotiba): ➖️ extend the current arrangement regarding the working parents' benefit; ➖️ give new parents a clear signal that support will also be available in the future; ➖️ the Ministry of Finance is tasked with assessing the financial impact of the decision. 🎓 EDUCATION LAW We agree that the assessment system for learning outcomes must be improved. But trying to introduce significant changes by September 1 – that is simply not realistic. We agreed to convene a separate meeting this week that will be entirely devoted to this issue. ⚡ ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE A new government thematic committee on energy, environment and climate issues will be created, with KEM taking overall supervision. There are many questions and unresolved problems here, so much closer coordination between ministries is needed. 🌬️ K2 VENTUM WIND PARK PROJECT IN PĀVILOSTA Again we are faced with decisions taken, or more precisely not taken and postponed, by previous governments. The situation is legally complicated, and wrong decisions can cost the state many millions of euros. ➖️ KEM must take responsibility for its decisions; ➖️ we asked the ministry to assess the issue much more broadly; ➖️ in a week I expect full information and an assessment of possible consequences. It is the responsibility of both officials and the minister to prevent the state from being drawn into extensive and expensive litigation. 🏥 ZZS OBJECTIONS TO THE HOSPITAL REFORM Here again we encountered a familiar situation. In the government, the hospital reform issue has been reviewed and a decision has been made. I also urge ZZS to familiarize themselves in detail with the real situation in hospitals, patient flows, staff availability and funding. Reform cannot be done only on paper, but it can likewise not be stopped just because change is politically unpopular. 🇱🇻 My principle remains unchanged – the state must be able to make decisions. Not to postpone them endlessly to the next government. KNAB has initiated a review of my visit to Zemgale and Liepāja - my answer: come and check. I honestly combined a work visit to Zemgale and Kurzeme to get to know the situation in agriculture and manufacturing, while also meeting residents as the AS prime ministerial candidate in the next elections. As prime minister, my work is 24/7 and there is no other way than to reach voters without combining it with work. If someone wants to nitpick, you are welcome, I will explain and show everything.

Day No. 51 in the prime minister's seat 🗓️ - NGO Day in the Cabinet of Ministers 🤝 Meeting with President @edgarsrinkevics - we discussed current national security issues and what's happening in the Cabinet and the coalition. 💰 Deputy compensation. Again a question that demands responsibility, not excuses. I believe manipulations with compensation will always exist. That is not a reason not to oversee them. Control and transparency must be strengthened. Deputies' salaries are adequate, so compensation must be really justified and verifiable, not interpretable. Such an approach exists throughout the democratic world, and the compensation system itself is normal practice. ✍️ The other topic - J. Dombrava's letter to Spain. I have already discussed this situation with the Minister of the Interior. The letter initiated by Italy and Denmark, signed by 22 EU member states, addressed to the EU leadership, was a clear and unambiguous gesture on behalf of the state. I signed it on Saturday. 🇱🇻 Latvia is represented in foreign affairs by three officials: the President, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. No matter how fast everything is happening in the world now, it is important to follow specific guidelines. 🏛️ The meeting with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) at the Cabinet of Ministers, which I initiated, showed one thing: clearly, NO ONE FOLLOWS UP ON USEFULNESS. 🧩 Why did I say the prepared presentations are SHIT? Because they did not give the full picture of the situation. The data are fragmentary, fragmented. Even the responsible ministries cannot obtain a full picture within a month. The collected data give NO (!!!) overview of where the state's tax money goes. ❓Reports, documents, calculations, and audits are already being made. The papers are clean, but does anyone check whether it matches state priorities? Are the measures taken useful? Did the budget funding reach the goal? Where do audits and their reports end up? Which official draws CONCLUSIONS? The goal is one - a strong and independent NGO sector that is not bureaucratic or formal, that does not simply absorb funds but works for the good of people and the state. Such NGOs will always have my support. 🤍 Being strong first means being independent. One behind which stand members, supporters, communities. It is not good if the state is the only source of income and provider of the NGO's existence. That weakens NGOs, not strengthens. 🙄A very interesting nuance - I also got a sexism accusation from a representative of “Sievietei paveicās”. For that I allow myself to ask a question to the head of the Civil Union. It turns out that you cannot talk to women about the use of the state budget. 🤷‍♂️ 📋 Next steps, where I expect a result in a month: 1️⃣ All ministries to identify what is granted to NGOs: amount of funding, recipients, legal basis, specific goal. 2️⃣ The Ministry of Finance, when reviewing budget expenditures, must separately evaluate expenditures related to NGO funding, their justification, effectiveness, and alignment with state priorities. 3️⃣ The Ministry of Culture together with the Ministry of Finance must develop clear, transparent principles for allocating NGO funding. 4️⃣ The Ministry of Finance must develop proposals for improving the NGO funding system and increasing private sector participation, including tax instruments that would motivate people and companies to support NGOs. Wherever there is public money, asking about its use is normal. ⚠️ It is alarming if elementary questions about the use of funds are called signs of authoritarianism or even fascism. Maybe that is why some politicians tried to use this discussion about NGOs for their own ends. 📰 Afternoon interview with POLITICO, a broad conversation with @politico journalist Max Griera. We discussed both security issues and the proximity of the upcoming elections, my plans for the prime minister's post, and much more. I will share the interview soon. 🎙️ 💭 At the end of the day, I want to emphasize once again that responsibility is not loud words. It is daily work with details that others do not want to see. That is why I will continue to ask: where does the money go and who is responsible for it.

🇱🇻 The security and efficiency of the justice system directly affect every resident of Latvia. Our priority is to create a justice environment that is safe, modern, and able to operate continuously even in crisis conditions. At the same time, investments must help prevent the causes of crime, reduce recidivism, and provide people with faster and more convenient services. That is why in the next period's investment portfolio, security, resocialization, digital resilience, and service quality are interconnected priorities. That is why we have identified an investment need of €140.4 million for the next EU funds period. Our priorities: 🔹 more modern and secure prison infrastructure; 🔹 less recidivism by strengthening resocialization; 🔹 cybersecurity and artificial intelligence solutions in the justice sector; 🔹 creation of a safe home for children and youth; 🔹 more modern forensic examinations; 🔹 development of e-case and faster digital services. More: https://t.co/k5By05hoxQ

The state will ensure that property seized in criminal proceedings does not lose value! 💶 Today the government supported amendments prepared by @Tiesletas that will allow in certain cases not only to store, but also to professionally manage property seized in criminal proceedings. In practice, this will mean that a seized car will be maintained in technical order, real estate will be managed, company value will be protected from squandering, and, for example, animals will be provided proper care. Transfer of property to management will not happen automatically. The process manager will decide in each case, assessing the specific circumstances. If the property can be safely left with its owner, user, or another trusted person, it can remain under that person's custody. These amendments will make criminal proceedings more efficient, reduce state expenses, and ensure a modern approach to managing seized property. ☑️

@miks_eu I agree, Bartaš's bunch of little green men is equivalent to fertilizer composition for the Stepaņenkos. Here, however, it is important to distinguish, in my opinion, a political-technological maneuver made by AŠ to gain Russian votes. Better let AŠ colonize them than let the orcs consolidate.

🇱🇻🇱🇹 Today in Liepāja I had the genuine pleasure of hosting the Lithuanian Minister of Justice, Rita Tamašunienė. Ukraine's defence against Russia's full-scale aggression has vividly demonstrated that security begins with resilient state institutions. We shared Latvia's experience in strengthening the resilience of the judicial system, visited Liepāja Prison, and discussed with the leadership of Liepāja's state city municipality the city's development and the plans of Lithuanian investors. Most importantly — we decided to soon meet in the circle of Baltic justice ministers to jointly strengthen the resilience and security of our countries. I am convinced that close cooperation is our greatest strength. 🇱🇻🇱🇹🇪🇪 And one more beautiful coincidence – in Latvian and Lithuanian the word summer sounds the same. We agreed that the Baltic summer is the most beautiful. And even more importantly – we will do everything possible so that people in the Baltic region feel safe, protected, and confident in their country. ☀️

Investments in a modern prison system and resocialization are investments in a safer society! Together with Lithuanian Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė, at Liepāja Prison we showed Latvia's modern approach to motivating prisoners and returning them to society. It is based on an individual risk and needs assessment, education, employment, psychological support, and gradual preparation for life after serving the sentence. 🏗️ The new Liepāja Prison is the first prison built since Latvia regained independence and the largest in the country. Modern infrastructure makes it possible to simultaneously strengthen security, ensure quality resocialization, and reduce the risk of recidivism.

⚖️ Baltic security begins with strong and prepared institutions. Today at the Kurzeme Regional Court we introduced Lithuania's Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė and the delegation to Latvia's experience in ensuring the continuity of court work in crisis situations. Our common task is to ensure that justice retains its strength even in the most difficult circumstances. That is why Latvia today shares its experience in ensuring the continuity of judicial work. 🇱🇻🤝🇱🇹 Common readiness, mutual trust and exchange of experience are prerequisites for more resilient justice systems and a safer Baltic region.

Just at the Latvian-Lithuanian border we welcomed Lithuania's Minister of Justice Rita Tamašunienė and her delegation! 🇱🇻🤝🏼🇱🇹 In the changing security situation, it is especially important for the Baltic states to share proven solutions, so today we will introduce our Lithuanian colleagues to Latvia's experience in strengthening the resilience of the judicial system. Today in Liepāja we will discuss cooperation in the field of justice, paying special attention to the main topical issues: ▫️ ensuring the continuity of the judicial system's operation in crisis conditions. ▫️ protection of children's rights and restricting children's access to social media. ▫️ visit to Liepāja Prison and a working session on measures for motivating convicts for resocialization.

@janisdombrava Thank you @janisdombrava for your work! Finally there IS an interior minister👍

I have not really delved into G and U's experience. I didn't even know it existed. I invite you to judge objectively about LV, taking into account the current situation. If a specific NGO is clearly acting against the state (which can be seen), then close it and peace. Job is done!

Yeah, can't show everything. Remember that Latvia is full of orc spies for whom such content is daily bread. If Maija joined ZZS, would go for a week to scenic Silene near Belarus, not see her family, get into fights etc., her rhetoric would be day and night. Hundred points!

@instant_mk Maija, I can't say whether you don't see or don't want to see reality, but you are wrong about this. The ZS guys have to be away from their families on weekends to hunt them in the forests, while that organization GPB helps them get here. Absurd and a crime against Latvia. What funding do they still get from the state?

How are financial resources managed in Latvia, what is the progress in this area, and what still needs to be done, and, of course, how is the treasury filling up, where are funds taken for security, education, healthcare… Regular work together with the State Treasury manager Kaspars Āboliņš. https://t.co/6saMu7ZTKf

🇱🇻🤝🇩🇪 Germany is one of Latvia's most significant partners in Europe, and our cooperation is based on shared values – rule of law, democracy, and security. Common priorities of Germany and Latvia in the justice sector: ✔️ strengthening a predictable and investor-trusted business environment; ✔️ protection of children's rights and exchange of experience; ✔️ strengthening security, including in Latvia's eastern border region – Vidzeme and Latgale; ✔️ unwavering support for Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for crimes of aggression. A strong rule of law system is the foundation for both a secure country and a competitive economy. That is why we continue to work on solutions that strengthen investor trust, protect people, and enhance Latvia's security.

⚖️ The justice system must work for people – faster, smarter and more efficiently. Together with Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters, we agreed on joint work on significant changes that will strengthen Latvia's justice system. 📌 New Criminal Procedure Law. Our goal is simpler processes, less bureaucracy, and faster justice for people. Prosecutor resources must be concentrated where they create the greatest added value – in the investigation of the most complex and socially significant cases. 📈 Justice system as an economic driver. The legal environment must promote investment and entrepreneurship. Therefore, together with entrepreneurs and representatives of the justice sector, we will work on proposals to strengthen Latvia's competitiveness. 🛡️ Stronger cybersecurity. We will review the regulatory framework so that highly qualified cybersecurity experts, or 'white hackers,' can help protect state and public interests in a clear and lawful manner. 🇱🇻 The goal is one – a modern, effective, and results-oriented justice system that strengthens both justice and Latvia's security and economy.