Latvian Political Monitor

European security begins with justice. Justice demands action. Together with Ukraine's Acting Minister of Justice Liudmyla Suhak, we have begun fundamentally rewriting the Latvian-Ukrainian memorandum of understanding, which has not been reviewed since 2019. We are adapting it to the reality of war and Ukraine's needs on its path to the European Union, strengthening cooperation in judicial reform and implementation of EU standards. 🇺🇦🇱🇻 At the same time, we are deepening cooperation to ensure international accountability for the crimes of Russia's aggression. Latvia, together with the Baltic and Nordic countries, must continue to drive this process forward. We will not allow the issue of justice to disappear from the international agenda.

⚖️ The future of Latvia's justice system is built by people. Therefore, investment in young lawyers is investment in a stronger state! Today concluded the second Summer School for Young Lawyers, where 28 law students spent a week learning how justice policy is made, how decisions are prepared, and how public administration works daily. It is important to me that young lawyers see not only laws but also the responsibility behind every decision. Professional, knowledgeable, and brave lawyers strengthen the rule of law, national security, and public trust in the state. I am especially pleased that one of last year's participants is now already our colleague at the Ministry of Justice. This shows that this initiative delivers real results – helping to discover talent and attract the next professionals to public administration. Thank you to all participants for their interest, questions, and desire to improve. I wish that this week becomes the start of a successful career in Latvia's justice system! 🇱🇻⚖️

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

Interesting and valuable conversation about EU structural funds and their planning for the next period, as well as the municipal funding equalization system and other important issues with former colleagues – representatives of @LLPAsoc. https://t.co/KlFpmeYrMc

From today, July 10, a new procedure for compensating losses caused by military incidents comes into force! ✅

🇱🇻🤝🇩🇪 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.

It is important to put the procurement system in order, making it transparent, reducing expenses in the long term. I met with @RTU_LV prorector @Arturs_Zeps and professor @AgrisNikitenko, who have done a great job to effectively use artificial intelligence solutions in procurement evaluation https://t.co/0JBDynEvP3

In a month and a half, we have achieved significant progress in all three government priorities in the justice sector! 🚀 Today, at the Cabinet of Ministers' action meeting on the implementation of the government's priority work, I reported on the results achieved in all three priority areas of the ministry. 👇 ✅ DONE: As early as tomorrow, 10 July, our developed regulation will come into force, which for the first time establishes a clear procedure for how the state will compensate losses caused by military incidents in peacetime. 2️⃣ We are advancing the judicial system reform. The Saeima has supported in the first reading amendments to the Law “On Judicial Power”, which provide for more efficient court work, the transition to the court lawyer model and a stronger role for the Judicial Council. 3️⃣ We continue unwavering support for Ukraine. We are advancing changes to the legal framework for supporting Ukrainian civilians in Latvia and strengthening cooperation with Ukraine's justice system on its path to the European Union. The work does not stop. @tieslietas we continue work on the next stages of the reform to strengthen national security, modernize the judicial system and ensure consistent Latvian support for Ukraine.

⚖️ 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.

See you in Cēsis at @FestivalsLAMPA this Friday and Saturday!

@LV_visiem @kasparskru If there is an opportunity, we will sort this out👍👏🏽

🇱🇻 There are people who don’t talk about love for Latvia — they do it! Inese Zagorska is one of them. So don’t fall for inaccurate information. A simple human error occurred while filling in the candidate questionnaire at the CEC. She has never cooperated with the USSR, the Latvian SSR, or foreign state security, intelligence, or counterintelligence services. We have already approached the CEC to correct this error. We have also asked the media to correct what was published. Rest assured, there are no such people in our United List team, but there are convinced Latvian patriots! 🇱🇻 You should know important facts about Inese: a pianist who in 2011 created the “White Grand Piano” in Sigulda — one of the first professional art concert halls outside Riga. Artistic director and board member of the Cēsis Concert Hall, chairwoman of the board of the Latvian National Music Council. A person thanks to whom professional art in all its forms is available not only in the capital but also in Vidzeme. She herself puts it simply: “Why have we built concert halls all over Latvia? Why are they filled with listeners? That proves our people’s deep intelligence, understanding of culture, and love of music and art. It is a strong foundation for great things, for a wise and Latvian future.” Inese has proven that Latvia does not end at the Riga border. Now she is ready to carry this conviction into the Saeima — on the United List team in Vidzeme. I am proud that she is on our team. On 3 October Vidzeme will have something to vote for. 🇱🇻 #ApvienotaisSaraksts #Vidzeme #Saeima2026

💬 After meeting with the Prison Administration leadership and visiting prisons, I have become convinced that security cannot be ensured only with stricter rules. A modern framework is needed to help reduce violence and criminal influence, while preserving a person's ability to maintain contact with their family. This is exactly the balance provided by the amendments supported by the government. ➡️ The bill will next be forwarded for consideration in the Saeima.

@liana_langa @anita_sele This is a matter that needs to be sorted out.

📚 Today at the Ministry of Justice we opened the second Summer School for Young Jurists, where 28 future lawyers will spend a week learning about the work of the justice sector, improving their knowledge and working together with experienced professionals in the field. ⚖️ The quality of the justice system in the long term is determined by the people who work in it! That is why it is important for us to give future lawyers the opportunity to get to know the Ministry of Justice from the inside already during their studies, gain practical experience and see how decisions are made. It is especially gratifying that several participants of last year's summer school are already colleagues at the Ministry of Justice today. This shows that this initiative helps build a strong and professional next generation of lawyers. 🤝

Security is not just a defense issue. It is also a strong judicial system, trustworthy institutions and the state's ability to ensure due process under any circumstances. That is why we are currently: 👉 strengthening the independence and capacity of the judiciary by introducing the institution of court lawyers and expanding the role of the Council of Justice; 👉 reducing the workload of the Latgale District Court by distributing part of the immigration-related cases among district courts across Latvia; 👉 improving the regulatory framework so that safe and lawful Saeima elections can be held even in the event of a security threat. Today, we discussed these and other issues of the development of the justice sector with the President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

@girtsgg History repeats itself.