Latvian Political Monitor

From@AndrisKulbergs

Day No. 81 in the prime minister's chair (TUESDAY, 22 Sept.) — sanctions, “RailBaltica” and work with the state wallet. The morning began with office coordination, documents and preparation for the Cabinet of Ministers meeting. Next — an economic action discussion, a call of Baltic prime ministers, a government meeting and a press conference. 🇪🇺 SANCTIONS — 🇱🇻 HELD OUT TO THE LAST Latvia was the only EU country out of 27 to object until the very last against the removal of Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. In the end, the choice was not between good and bad. It was between bad and much more terrible — changing the status of two persons or the collapse of the entire sanctions regime. Latvia constructively abstained. As a result, sanctions against almost 3,000 supporters of Russia's war were extended for 36 months, not as before — every six months, meaning no one will be able to touch them for 3 years. Until now, they had to be re-confirmed every 6 months. At the same time, we immediately imposed Latvian national sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman. In Latvia, their funds and economic resources remain frozen. Thanks to @Arlietas, the diplomatic corps and Minister @Braze_Baiba for the work, as well as the President @edgarsrinkevics for coordinating 🇱🇻 position from NY. 🇫🇷🛡️ STRONGER SECURITY FOR LATVIA Through intensive negotiations with French President Emmanuel Macron, we reached an agreement to start talks on Latvia joining France's nuclear deterrence initiative. France has also pledged to strengthen its military presence in Latvia — especially in air defence. Security 🇱🇻 is concrete allied presence, capabilities and deterrence. 🚆 “RAILBALTICA” — BALTIC PRIME MINISTERS AGREE ON 2034 With the Lithuanian and Estonian prime ministers, we agreed on a common Baltic position and signed a 3x countries' declaration for the project's implementation. 2030 is not realistic, because RB would have to be implemented without EU funding because the new fund money is only available in 2029, and we have to finance security from the national budget. Therefore, all 3 Baltic countries agree on a realistic first-stage target — 2034. In the next EU financing period, the Baltic states will jointly ask the EU for predictable funding for the project's implementation, while on their side there is a commitment to review unnecessarily high technical requirements to reduce costs by several billion and speed up construction timelines. CUTTING THE COSTS OF THE STATE APPARATUS I signed an order to freeze the base salaries of officials also in 2027. It also applies to the prime minister, ministers and Saeima deputies. The Ministry of Finance has been tasked with preparing proposals to limit state spending — reviewing bonuses, service spending, long-standing vacancies and other expenses. Money will no longer be squandered in DECEMBER. It is also required to freeze all DECEMBER procurement. We in the state have a habit of unnecessarily spending the state budget in December with unnecessary expenses — it must be stopped so that the money stays in 2027. If we demand that the state save, we must start with ourselves. 🛂 CLEARER MIGRATION POLICY The government approved a 71-measure plan for stricter control of third-country nationals' entry, employment and studies. Some proposals still require amendments to laws, but the direction is clear — Latvia needs a migration policy that actually works. It was not a short day. But the prime minister's chair is not meant for comfort.

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From@andrislov

Kulbergs will build Rail Baltica for 10 billion and spend 300 million a year on maintenance. Mr. Kulbergs, just not at my expense. Show the money first, and then build. Show the money. https://t.co/gjdWugIHa3

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From@maijaroze_

@Apvienotais_ Before @AndrisKulbergs came to power, he said quite clearly that the Rail Baltic project should be frozen. There is neither economic justification for it, nor can taxpayers afford it. Why has the coat now been turned the other way? Those €10BN would be better used for building 4-lane highways.

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From@nralv

VIDEO. Will Kulbergs manage to get seven billion from Europe?

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