Latvian Political Monitor

Since 2020, the state apparatus has grown by +10,500 employees, despite a falling number of employed people and residents. As a result of the municipal reform, where the plan was to save and reduce resources = the number of employees has grown by +2,500. Public services 🇱🇻 are 26% of GDP vs 23% in OECD countries. Public-sector employment is 24% (the highest figure) vs 18% in the OECD. State intervention in the economy has grown by 10 percentage points, to a record-high 46%. In the next 4 years, all of these indicators must be reversed — that is our ironclad plan, if we are given such an opportunity.

Maybe you shouldn’t spread total lies; you are supposedly a serious person with prime ministerial ambitions? Again — I personally used the FM presentation as a “template,” which contained Tuesday’s information on more recent data, and I myself added my own analysis of parties’ promises quantified in €.

HOW CAN ONE NOT PROMISE! - the classic once said 🗳️ PARTIES — WHO PROMISES MORE? Given this stark budget reality and the legacy left in state finances, where even borrowing up to the maximum 🇪🇺EU-allowed budget deficit limit is not enough, the pre-election promises of political parties stand out especially. They are no longer measurable in hundreds of millions — they are already measurable in billions €, moreover without financial coverage and without a real economic growth proposal. I have analysed the programmes of several political parties and summarised each party's promises in money terms for the period from 2027 to 2030. 🏆 The record holders of political "Promisers" for the next four years: 🥇 No.1 — Suverēnā Vara / Jaunlatvieši (Stepaņenko wants to give benefits, cut VAT, raise salaries): +3.61 billion € 🥈 No.2 — @LatvijaPirmaja Latvia First (@SlesersAinars – we reduce 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 borrowing endlessly): +1.56 billion € 6️⃣ @VL_TBLNNK National Alliance — (wants to fund language, education, culture and fight illegal migration, without thinking about the ECONOMY): +1.55 billion € 7️⃣ @Apvienotais_ — we will not promise what we cannot deliver, main focus on education that will pay off in the future, with justification of where we will take the funding: +763 million € When you go to vote - ask the question - HOW DO THESE BIG PROMISERS REALLY INTEND TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PROMISES, IF ALREADY TODAY THE STATE FINANCES HAVE A €420M FINANCIAL HOLE (already next year), WHICH MUST BE FILLED? And think about who left such a financial pit legacy

@AlksneR @gatisliepin How would you justify "too little"? Very interesting.

Unlike the other prime minister candidates, I do not have time to prepare for the debates, because I have to run the country and make very difficult decisions, such as today about the legacy left by Rail Baltica. What was shown in the studio was material prepared by myself, in which, in addition to the fresher information provided by the FM on state finances, I inserted my own analysis of all parties' irresponsible promises in programmes without funding coverage. I delve into the numbers myself and, unlike the others, we in AS do not intend to deceive the voters.

@JanisIesalnieks @taisnibaskalps @VL_TBLNNK @Apvienotais_ Easy shock about this situation. A scumbag for a party. Will hire lawyers, bring in crisis managers, blame others and forget. But the young girl's life is ruined.

I have a question. PRO now says how they reacted to Eņģelis's conduct, excluded him from the party and contacted the police. How is it that one of their leading politicians, Liene Gātere, said on X that she only found out about it today? So who is lying?

The third priority task set by the Ministry of Justice has been completed! ✅ The Saeima has adopted the reform to strengthen judicial independence and introduce the position of court lawyer. A person who defends their rights in court may find every month of waiting means uncertainty about their family, job, or company's future. Our duty is to create conditions so that they receive a fair, well-founded judgment within a reasonable time. The reform, advanced together with the Judicial Council, provides: ⚖️ Greater judicial independence. We reduce the minister's involvement in judges' career matters and give the Judicial Council broader powers and responsibility for organising court work and budget planning. ⚖️ Stronger support for judges. We will gradually introduce the position of court lawyer. Qualified lawyers will analyse legal norms and prepare draft rulings, allowing judges to devote more time to hearing cases. ⚖️ A path for the next generation of judges. Work as a court lawyer will provide valuable experience and professional development opportunities. 🗓️ The amendments are planned to take effect on 1 January 2027, with the court lawyer position introduced gradually.

@AlksneR @gatisliepin Then professional education in construction is no longer useful for anything after graduating from a State Gymnasium?

Last day of pre-election campaigning. At the corner of Vērmanes Garden today, possibly a world record was set in the density of political campaigners per square meter. https://t.co/csYjEd6B9S

@UsulisBintars I have read it. And exactly so — the convention is just paper, because violence must be combated with national legislation and effective law enforcement work. In all European countries where migrant terror against women occurs, this convention is in force. So?

@Dairis_Mr_21 @Broks @AndrisKulbergs Well, I cannot agree, Dairi. That is not so. Quick examples: - ICT procurements were halted so the state would not be defrauded. - airBaltic finally made a decision. - reduced the excise tax; - 52 million for teachers; - He slurped up Braže's soap, getting million cases from FRA. I am only naming the most visible ones publicly.

@10Salaca @pudzinsh Born a Cēsis native, I'm still there every week. I recommend coming to visit—there's plenty to see and enjoy here! :)

Sloganically correct, but our politics is distinctly left-wing. That could also be seen in the debates. One promises cheaper fuel, another other kinds of support, heating also has to be compensated (🙈), and the theses on how the state will develop the economy, productivity, exports, etc. were not particularly impressive. The only thing the state can do is interfere less (and ensure reasonable, competitive taxes). If support and benefits are promised (and that happens in every election), then none of that is possible by definition.

@didzvein @Progresivie Very curious whether @ltvzinas will notice this situation …