Latvian Political Monitor

@MatissBicevskis Our 2022 programme included a proposal to introduce a mixed electoral system, where half of the deputies would be elected from party lists and the other half in single-member constituencies.

#krīviski https://t.co/LPNMI4LVWA

@MatissBicevskis We are in favor of reviewing and, preferably, improving the electoral system. In the 14th Saeima there was no support from other parties for this. We will see what the composition of the 15th Saeima will be.

@Antresols @Braze_Baibe Heh, heh — well, actually Jaunups was the “grey cardinal” and cashier of New Era, and for a while also of Unity. In tandem with Kampars...

@ivars_auzins The peaks of the sharp price jump must be cooled, because companies have contracts/commitments in which they cannot manage to adjust prices in time; this rapidly increases inflation and hits the economy.

Day No. 83 in the prime minister's seat (THURSDAY, 24 Sept.) — DECISIONS IN THE SAEIMA, HEATING BILLS, LPV ⛽ 8 CENTS. NOT 20, BUT IT IS THE FIRST STEP The Saeima adopted an excise tax reduction for diesel fuel and petrol. From 1 October until the end of the year, the price should fall by about 8 cents per litre — if traders fully include the tax reduction in the price. The diesel excise tax has been reduced from 396 to 330 euros per 1,000 litres, and a rate of 490 euros has been set for petrol. I expect this reduction to be visible on the price lists at petrol stations, not just remain in the text of the law. Thanks to Finance Minister @MarisKucinskis for the quick preparation of the amendments. 🏠 GREATER SUPPORT FOR HEATING BILLS. From 1 November to 30 April, we are increasing the housing benefit for people with low incomes. The average benefit could rise from 149 to 174 euros per month, and the number of recipients to around 37,600 people. Those who already receive the benefit will not have to submit a new application — social services will make the recalculation automatically. 🌾 LATVIA WILL NOT BE A GATEWAY FOR RUSSIAN GRAIN. From now on, grain and other feed shipments from third countries will finally be able to be checked already at the border, including taking laboratory samples. Checks will be carried out by the PVD, and investigations by “BIOR”, because legislation has been amended and 💬 CLARITY ON LPV In an interview with the magazine “https://t.co/iaFoFNjZ5p” I said directly — a coalition with LPV is not my path. I am in favour of an open conversation with the public, even if I sometimes say more than is expected of the prime minister. This was a day when the Saeima adopted several decisions. Now the most important thing is that people feel the result in their everyday expenses.

@Vinotava @AndrejsUrbans Every day 3 hours on foot around the centre with stroller walks, later by bike for errands, then by car for child logistics. The infrastructure keeps getting better and better year after year. You would have to be narrow-minded not to see/feel it.

@Vinotava @AndrejsUrbans Independent producers and content creators who do not submit to the dogmas of the so-called 'Ministry of Truth' are only welcome.

@Afanasijs @maris_mezals Chihuahuas are popular not only in Klusais centrs, but also on X👌😅

✅ The excise duty reduction allows the fuel price to be lowered by 8 cents. To make the reduction bigger, two more ministries still have to do their homework; ✅ There is no basis to talk about tax increases next year; ✅ Reforms must be carried out so that around 2030 we do not find ourselves in a deep 'hole' https://t.co/UdOIAf9R4T

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

@KNL_LTV1 The decision was made back in May at the meeting of AS representatives and formally confirmed by AS in August. Apparently, legal formalities took longer. https://t.co/r6nYbeEmR9

@AndrejsUrbans @Vinotava This is funny. If there is nothing to criticize about the topic, then it's not worth polluting the airwaves and you can keep your mouth shut. Looking at this analogy, now Osītis will have to state that he is a politically significant person, that he films/edits video content where some politician😅 Let's turn on common sense🫡

@maris_mezals Māris, you understand very well that this question is empty babble that gives Latvia no benefit or contribution. If you want to fill the airtime, then you can chatter as much as you like about this 😅😅

@EdijsKlaisis It won't be. What will be? Expenditures in the public sector need to be cut. Roughly, about 1 billion a year will have to be spent thinking about how to spend less, while simultaneously fighting for the maximum amount of investment. The good life for state-owned companies and their boards, however, will come to an end.