From@Apvienotais_❓ What is actually being decided today about “airBaltic”? Most important - Saeima today is not deciding on granting new money to “airBaltic”. Today's decision is about whether the state will retain the opportunity to participate in negotiations with “airBaltic” creditors and defend Latvia's interests in the company's restructuring process. The situation is not simple. “airBaltic” has accumulated large debts, and the previously raised expensive bonds have placed a heavy financial burden on the company. Continuing to simply invest taxpayer money is not a solution. But allowing the company to cease operations would also be irresponsible. “airBaltic” connects Latvia with the world, provides jobs, and is an essential part of our economy. Therefore, an opportunity is currently being given to try to sort out the company. For the first time, there is a concrete plan - reduce the debt burden, sort out the company's operations and finances, and then attract a strategic investor. The state cannot and must not in the long term alone maintain the airline. ❗ So what does Saeima decide today? - defer the state's due 18 million euro loan payment; - give the opportunity to restructure existing state claims; - allow the state to participate in bondholder negotiations and be at the table where the future of “airBaltic” is decided. This is not a decision to grant “airBaltic” another 30 million euros. If a specific state financial investment is needed in the future, it will have to be decided separately. The choice now is harsh - do nothing and risk the end of “airBaltic” operations, or use the last opportunity to sort out the company while defending taxpayer interests. The goal is clear - an “airBaltic” that can fly and earn without regular state money injections, and a strategic investor that, together with the state, takes responsibility for the company's future. Latvia needs good connectivity with the world. But Latvian residents should not have to endlessly pay for the airline's losses. #APVIENOTAISSARAKSTS #airBaltic #Saeima #Valdība #AndrisKulbergs
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Infrastructure: Posts and News mentioning Apvienotais saraksts
Political posts and news in Infrastructure that mention Apvienotais saraksts, from monitored Latvian public sources.
Latvia and Lithuania are considering an unprecedented step - the governments of both countries could meet in full.
Viktors Valainis (ZZS) believes that the unused opportunity is increasing Lufthansa's stake in the company, arguing that Lufthansa should invest more in Latvia's airline than the state. Neither the prime minister, nor the company's management, nor Transport Minister Kozlovskis agree with this.
From@KNL_LTV1Private bondholders are ready to invest in airBaltic; the government needs a Saeima mandate to decide whether we want it or not, said government leader Andris Kulbergs (AS).
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From@OslejsCSDD used to be a well-managed institution. Now Aksenoks says that two-factor authorization hasn't been implemented everywhere because 'a transition period was needed', whaaat??? 2FA has been a STANDARD in every IT system for years!!! Just like he's the only one in the Baltics blocking self-driving cars. Because he's old and senile. Time to retire.
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About municipal arbitrariness in territorial planning, nuclear reactors, and how much should be cut from next year's budget. An interesting conversation with Edgars Tavars. Thanks for the conversation @Edgars_T https://t.co/TdhexwgCwv
From@AndrisKulbergs@nauris404 @Sat_Min No, the 3t measure for N1 vehicles was thought up by Linkaitis. The application of vignettes to regional roads and raising once by 48% and now again by 27% in one year was thought up by PRO.
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From@RKrumin@AndrisKulbergs, while in opposition, rightly and with enviable persistence fought against this absurdity — vignettes for vehicles up to 3.5 t. Unfortunately, after coming to power, he has developed amnesia, although this could really be a task that could be accomplished in the short term of office. https://t.co/yxJ9gurFYV
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Rail Baltica main line in the first phase in Latvia is planned with significant optimization.
Nothing new. Yesterday, in a closed meeting, the government reviewed the Rail Baltica project, but afterwards the public heard neither new decisions nor a clear plan for further action. Once again, what we already knew was reiterated: the project costs must be significantly reduced and Latvia must set clear public funding ceilings. The first phase of the project in Latvia is currently estimated at around six billion euros, but there is still no clarity on funding, timelines, and specific next steps. New possibilities mentioned included revising the planned train speed and using existing railway corridors. At the same time, it is claimed that the location of the main track will not be changed. The government should explain how these plans can be combined and what real savings they would bring. Other savings solutions, such as lower embankments, less noise barriers, and other technical simplifications, were evaluated and decided during the previous government. Nothing new was said about the Riga connection either. Started works continue so that by 2029 existing Vivi trains could run from Riga Airport station to Riga Central Station, Salaspils, and further on other routes. We all agree with the goal of building a connection with Europe that Latvia can afford and that people can use. However, the current government is so far repeating what is already known, even though it now has a comprehensive project evaluation that the previous government did not yet have. We expect from the government not another evaluation, but concrete decisions on what we will build, how much it will cost, how we will change contracts, from what sources we will finance it, and within what deadlines we will accomplish it.
From@atis_svinkaAdding to what has been said earlier about today's expected closed thematic committee meeting of the government, where the Rail Baltica project will be discussed. Many have gained the impression that @AndrisKulbergs and the government talk a lot, but the necessary decisions are not being made. One would nevertheless hope that today's discussions will be followed by concrete decisions: 1. On the next steps for the A&M assessment. It is essential to understand whether all three proposed scenarios have clearly identified legal risks and full cost calculations have been made. 2. When considering @AndrisKulbergs' proposal to change the route alignment and direct it through Riga, the public must be shown the calculated significant cost increase, as well as the risks of losing future European Union funding. The current government considers that the Cabinet of Ministers' decision of December 2024 on the progress of the Rail Baltica main line construction is not binding on it. It is also unclear on what legal basis @AndrisKulbergs could deviate from the European Commission's Implementing Decision, which clearly defines the purpose and procedure for the use of EU funding. 3. It is positive that the meeting will also assess the progress of the main line's section D construction and the savings achieved so far. Today, the government needs not only reports and discussions but also clear, legally substantiated, and financially responsible decisions.
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Doubling the state family benefit and improving housing affordability in the regions are conditions that will help families lean toward having children, believes Artūrs Butāns (NA).
From@KNL_LTV1We want everything, but all of that will need money, says Edgars Tavars (AS), emphasizing that without an economic breakthrough none of it will be possible.
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@LapinsGirts @NA_Riga So now it seems to be long working hours and no days off. Working as actively as ever. 🤭
From@LapinsGirtsReceived an order to attack those who mistreat immigrants, received an order to attack NA and AS. Spriņģes and Re:Baltica have never investigated Vienotība and the Progressives, all their misdeeds with airBaltic, railBaltic, Briškens's piles in the Daugava, Sprūds's interesting activities at the Ministry of Defence, Evika Siliņa's and Kariņš's flights, etc., etc. Is that really investigative journalism? Is that really journalism? Or are engaged “journalists” through interesting funding sources?
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@5diena13 @atihomirovs AirBaltic IPO costs might turn out to be higher than the capital raised.
From@5diena13@atihomirovs @pucej Ošlejs supposedly wants to invest heavily in AB. Why don't we give him this great opportunity?
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From@atis_svinkaAdding to what has been said earlier about today's expected closed thematic committee meeting of the government, where the Rail Baltica project will be discussed. Many have gained the impression that @AndrisKulbergs and the government talk a lot, but the necessary decisions are not being made. One would nevertheless hope that today's discussions will be followed by concrete decisions: 1. On the next steps for the A&M assessment. It is essential to understand whether all three proposed scenarios have clearly identified legal risks and full cost calculations have been made. 2. When considering @AndrisKulbergs' proposal to change the route alignment and direct it through Riga, the public must be shown the calculated significant cost increase, as well as the risks of losing future European Union funding. The current government considers that the Cabinet of Ministers' decision of December 2024 on the progress of the Rail Baltica main line construction is not binding on it. It is also unclear on what legal basis @AndrisKulbergs could deviate from the European Commission's Implementing Decision, which clearly defines the purpose and procedure for the use of EU funding. 3. It is positive that the meeting will also assess the progress of the main line's section D construction and the savings achieved so far. Today, the government needs not only reports and discussions but also clear, legally substantiated, and financially responsible decisions.
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Adding to what has been said earlier about today's expected closed thematic committee meeting of the government, where the Rail Baltica project will be discussed. Many have gained the impression that @AndrisKulbergs and the government talk a lot, but the necessary decisions are not being made. One would nevertheless hope that today's discussions will be followed by concrete decisions: 1. On the next steps for the A&M assessment. It is essential to understand whether all three proposed scenarios have clearly identified legal risks and full cost calculations have been made. 2. When considering @AndrisKulbergs' proposal to change the route alignment and direct it through Riga, the public must be shown the calculated significant cost increase, as well as the risks of losing future European Union funding. The current government considers that the Cabinet of Ministers' decision of December 2024 on the progress of the Rail Baltica main line construction is not binding on it. It is also unclear on what legal basis @AndrisKulbergs could deviate from the European Commission's Implementing Decision, which clearly defines the purpose and procedure for the use of EU funding. 3. It is positive that the meeting will also assess the progress of the main line's section D construction and the savings achieved so far. Today, the government needs not only reports and discussions but also clear, legally substantiated, and financially responsible decisions.
From@atis_svinkaTomorrow the government will discuss the Rail Baltica project in a closed thematic committee meeting. There are two pieces of news. The good one: the new government, for the first time since its creation on May 29, is finally starting to look at Rail Baltica issues. The bad one: decisions will not be made, and the public will most likely not learn anything, because the meeting will be held in a closed format. A lot has been done over the past year, so this government must not limit itself to empty statements that 'work continues' or, on the contrary, that 'everything is bad.' More than a week ago, an independent assessment was completed, which analyzed three scenarios, the possible scope to be built in the first phase, sources of financing, options to switch or adjust contracts, as well as responsibility for design errors. Information related to national security can be secret, not project management solutions and responsibility for mistakes made. I want the work started during my ministerial mandate on reviewing project solutions, reducing costs, and evaluating mistakes made to be continued.
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Thank you very much for the clear communication and for the information on the AiM website. Then regarding Liepāja Airport, we are in the same place as every year, with fragmented funding and no clear system for the future. I had initiated all ministries and interested institutions to define their future interests. The process was not completed. Most likely, this could then be a political decision for the next government—whether to consolidate with RIX or develop Liepāja Airport separately.
From@GunaGavrilkoGood afternoon! Liepāja Airport is a very significant military infrastructure object, whose financing was started during the previous government. Here is the news about 2025 https://t.co/WjNMEoZMx1
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Moreover, offering a false dilemma - we don't need either 'golden visas' or 'BOLT couriers'. Investments are best attracted by a well-ordered state - lower labor taxes (currently the highest in the Baltics), infrastructure, labor productivity and education. 'Golden visas' is a Šlesers-style idea that opens the door to a real estate price bubble (and accordingly a rising property tax), various schemes with 'Norwegian investors' with Russian surnames, etc.
From@RitaEvaNaKulberg's dramatic monodramas are, of course, a rather interesting phenomenon in the overall, very gray, political theater. But let us remember that it is precisely AS that is pushing golden visa proposals that promote migration, and it is precisely LVP that are AS's closest potential partners.
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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.
From@atis_svinkaTomorrow, August 11, the closed part of the government meeting will consider a draft order on co-financing for SIA 'Airline Company Liepāja'. The Liepāja airport, in addition to its own revenues, is already currently funded by the Liepāja municipality, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (AiM) and the Ministry of Transport (SM). Could @AndrisKulbergs and Defense Minister R. Melnis provide clarification: - How much additional funding is planned to be reallocated to Liepāja airport from the defense budget? - Can Ventspils airport, ports, military mobility transport infrastructure objects (e.g., Jēkabpils bridge), as well as border-area media and associations also count on similar support? - Is this decision also related to the recent Friday 'working visit' to Liepāja? There is no doubt that a sustainable financing model for Liepāja airport must be found. At the same time, dispel concerns that this is not a continuation of the model of supporting one's own, but that defense resources are available to all Latvian regions and for strengthening defense resilience.
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Tomorrow, August 11, the closed part of the government meeting will consider a draft order on co-financing for SIA 'Airline Company Liepāja'. The Liepāja airport, in addition to its own revenues, is already currently funded by the Liepāja municipality, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (AiM) and the Ministry of Transport (SM). Could @AndrisKulbergs and Defense Minister R. Melnis provide clarification: - How much additional funding is planned to be reallocated to Liepāja airport from the defense budget? - Can Ventspils airport, ports, military mobility transport infrastructure objects (e.g., Jēkabpils bridge), as well as border-area media and associations also count on similar support? - Is this decision also related to the recent Friday 'working visit' to Liepāja? There is no doubt that a sustainable financing model for Liepāja airport must be found. At the same time, dispel concerns that this is not a continuation of the model of supporting one's own, but that defense resources are available to all Latvian regions and for strengthening defense resilience.
The idle ones have managed to call this an 'illegal visit'. Hats off to @AndrisKulbergs for managing to visit all this in a day. https://t.co/MYBOcmLAzz
From@AndrisKulbergsDay No. 53 in the prime minister's chair (Friday, Aug 7) – unofficial visit to Liepāja, Grobiņa, Nīca 😊 I visited entrepreneurs, manufacturers, farmers, municipal deputies, market ladies, residents, the crazy Liepāja folk ⚙️ RK Metal – Grobiņa A modern metalworking company with around 200 employees producing high-level metal structures, equipment, and specialized solutions for export. Here the problem of labor costs was again very clearly voiced. 🤒 From the entrepreneurs' point of view, a big problem is the abuse of the sick leave system and how much of the sick period is covered by the employer. ⏱ The second topic – 100% surcharge for overtime and complex bureaucracy to introduce more flexible solutions in the company. By comparison, we also talked about 🇸🇪Sweden, where in some cases the overtime surcharge model is more flexible. A welder's salary in Latvia has already approached the level I once saw in 🇳🇱 the Netherlands, having worked 13 years in the equipment manufacturing industry. This shows very well how serious the skilled labor problem has become in Latvia. ❤️ RŪRE Care Home This was a very personal visit for me. RŪRE once allowed my cousin Mārtiņš Lauva to live out his last days with dignity and helped fulfill his final wishes. That is why I know the value of mobile hospice services not from documents but personally. And I am seriously concerned that the Ministry of Health's ill-considered planning and conditions could jeopardize a system that Latvia could rightly be proud of in recent years. RŪRE has simultaneously taken on a huge risk by developing five regional healthcare centers in Kurzeme in a short time. The problem is again the same – delayed state planning, extremely short deadlines and bureaucracy. As a result, there is a risk of not using millions of euros of 🇪🇺EU funding. 🏗 Liepāja SEZ – industrial park on the former 'Metalurgs' territory We talked about: ➖️ industrial territory development; ➖️ military industry opportunities; ➖️ new production plants; ➖️ labor availability. In Liepāja unemployment is historically very low – around 4%, with only about 1,737 unemployed people. That's good, but it creates another problem for entrepreneurs – there is no one to hire. There is a particular shortage of technical specialists. Here the weakness of our education system in STEM subjects – mathematics, physics, engineering – is strongly felt. 🏠 The second problem – the lack of housing stock. Even if a company finds a specialist in another Latvian city, the person often has nowhere normal to live in Liepāja. Among development projects – also YOKOHAMA's plan to create a tire plant in addition to the existing alloy wheel production. 📦 CALJAN – from Liepāja to the whole world This is one of the companies Latvia should truly be proud of. CALJAN produces high-level logistics and small-parcel conveyor systems for global clients such as: Amazon, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DHL, Walmart and others. 🌍 About 30,000 units have already been delivered worldwide. And the most impressive thing – the company has relocated its: ➖️ R&D; ➖️ engineering; ➖️ production; ➖️ head office from 🇸🇪 Sweden to Liepāja. This is exactly the Latvian economic model I want to see more of – not cheap labor, but knowledge, engineering, technology and global exports. 👷 CALJAN employs around 410 people. But they too can no longer find enough workers in Latvia. About 40 people are already being hired through a 🇱🇹Lithuanian labor leasing company – including engineers, programmers and electricians from 🇮🇳 India and the Philippines. And the money for labor intermediation goes to Lithuanian companies, not stays in Latvia. 🏛 Meeting at Liepāja City Council @liepaja With the city leadership we discussed: ➖️ The Local Government Financial Equalization Fund; ➖️ Liepāja's development; ➖️ The Port Law and its further progress. ✈️ NORSAF – green aviation fuel project A very ambitious idea – producing future synthetic aviation fuel in Liepāja using green hydrogen. 🇪🇺 In the coming years, aviation will face increasingly strict requirements for sustainable aviation fuel blending – in 2030, 2035, 2040 and beyond. At the moment, however, the technology is still extremely expensive. 💶 Approximate: ➖️ new fuel – €7,000/t; ➖️ traditional Jet Fuel – around €1,500/t; ➖️ before the Hormuz crisis – around €600–800/t. This shows how huge a technological and economic leap is still needed. 🥒 Liepāja Market I'll be honest – I liked it more than Rīga Central Market. 😄 Cozier, more Latvian, and with a feeling that there are more local producers. In the shopping basket: 🍞 very good bread baked in Liepāja; 🍗 Rubeņi smoked chicken; 🥒 lightly salted cucumbers; 🍄 and, of course, chanterelles – because I have no time to go to the forest myself. ☹️ 📺 In between, also an interview with Liepāja TV. - about MP compensation 🏭 Liepāja Papīrs An impressive Latvian-level plant specializing in printing adhesive labels. 👷 Around 120 employees. The company invests very actively in modern production equipment and automation. Not because they don't want people, but because there simply aren't any. Training a new specialist takes up to two years. Hence, the labor shortage effectively forces companies to invest in technologies that allow them to produce more with fewer workers. 📦 Due to the Hormuz Strait conflict, the company has purchased about twice as much paper stock to ensure continuity of production. This in turn means more money frozen in the warehouse and pressure on production costs. 🖨 FORTIUS – printing house A smaller local printing and labeling company. And such companies are also very necessary – almost every city needs its own local printer that can quickly serve small and individual orders. 🥛 Kazdanga company “Baltu Piens” Two enterprising women joined forces, mortgaged their properties and used ALTUM financing to buy a farm. This story is also personally close to me, because my wife's parents live in Kazdanga. But the numbers raise very serious questions. 💶 The loan principal has been repaid about €50,000, but €39,713 has already been paid in interest. The interest rate – almost 9%. Moreover, to review the loan repayment schedule, ALTUM requires an additional fixed payment of 0.5% of the remaining amount. Then my question is simple: Is ALTUM's task not to be a state development financial institution that helps companies grow? If state funding conditions weaken a company more than help it develop, something is wrong with the system. Moreover, the new farm managers still need to invest about €459,000 in treatment facilities that the previous owners had not fixed. 🏎 Garage 1965 – Latvian rally history museum For all petrolheads – a must-see! 🔥 A very enjoyable museum. In Liepāja not only 'the wind is born' – there are very deep roots of Latvian rally and motorcycle sport. 👥 Meeting with Liepāja residents at the Latvian Society House 👥 Meeting with residents in Nīca 🧀 Nīca cheese and ZS “Skrodis” Again the seasonal labor problem. Vegetable and berry growers need people for specific seasonal work, but existing rules make attracting labor extremely complicated and expensive. Entrepreneurs point out that the set €1,700 salary threshold for attracting foreign labor for this type of work is too high and, given current agricultural product prices, makes production costs uncompetitive. And the reality in the countryside is harsh – local people often cannot be found even for such pay. Young people simply don't come to cut cabbage or pick berries. 🧀 But the cheese – seriously – one of the best I've tasted in Latvia. 🌅 End of the day – Red Sun Buffet Beach Bar Meeting with the owner, who has run a family business on the Liepāja seaside for 17 seasons, working both summer and winter. Here, too, the reality of the Latvian labor market is very clearly visible. 🇺🇦 Ukrainian families work at the company, engaging in work across several generations. They serve clients in Latvian, but the Ukrainian women have also introduced their own delicious traditions to the menu. 🎶 And every evening – live music with high-level musicians. What did I take from these two regional days? 🇱🇻 In Latvia we have fantastic entrepreneurs, farmers and manufacturers. They invest. Take risks. Export. Invent. Build factories. Take over markets. Create jobs. But at almost every stop I heard the same words: ⚠️ bureaucracy; ⚠️ labor shortage; ⚠️ tax and labor costs; ⚠️ slow state decisions; ⚠️ ill-considered regulation; ⚠️ difficulties obtaining financing; ⚠️ officials' fear of taking responsibility. The state's task should not be to train entrepreneurs in an obstacle course. The state's task is to create an environment where a person ready to risk, invest and create jobs can do so. For me, such visits are far more valuable than dozens of presentations in Rīga. Because only in a factory, in a field, in a warehouse, on a farm or at an entrepreneur's table can you understand what actually works in Latvia and what urgently needs fixing. @Apvienotais_
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