Latvian Political Monitor

Smiltēns promises a tougher fight against illegal migrant smugglers

To lie - deliberately say, write something untrue (usually to deceive someone). Not nice, Mr. Prime Minister! Not nice. You can certainly do better. https://t.co/HuzWec1rKj https://t.co/ghEPHZSDDQ

If Edgars Rinkēvičs were ready to run for a second term, Edgars Tavars (AS) would invite colleagues to make such a decision. Andris Šuvajevs (PRO), however, noted that 'Progressives' should always consider the possibility of putting forward their own presidential candidate.

Latvia launches Operation Vilkatis to curb illegal migration

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.

Dombrava on technical problems at the border: Cameras were not connected to the border guard unit.

@Janis1983 Strengthen the border, don't steal money, not close the border crossing point.. so two completely different things.. check out this tweet from 2016.. 10 years have passed, and still no result.. https://t.co/WOTd8USG12

1/3 Biodiversity, climate change and other risks affect the economy, so banks assess sustainability risks. But it is not as it has been said. The guidelines do not determine how farmers should work, what and to what extent banks should lend. Application of these guidelines to banks is not mandatory.

@DzelzsCilveks That is why, in my opinion, for specific actions that may be recognized as criminal under Article 78 or 150 of the Criminal Law, one must first report to @Valsts_drosiba. Of course, one can also talk about such things on social media, but that should not become an end in itself.

Quite recently in Poland, violent attacks on a Ukrainian couple followed similar hate-inciting rhetoric, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk clearly condemned it. Society expects exactly the same clear stance in Latvia as well.

Therefore, the Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs must clearly state that glorification of violence is not and will not be acceptable in Latvia. These are no jokes – political leaders must unequivocally condemn such behavior.

@AndrisKulbergs @janisdombrava @ltvzinas is there a plan to also inform residents who support @lsmlv with their taxes? Or are all the news now coming through the Prime Minister's nightly video?

In Lampa, all prime minister candidates were reportedly strictly required to give an answer about their attitude toward the Istanbul Convention. Some (National Alliance) reportedly stammered, others (Kulbergs) did a pirouette and now confirm support for Istanbul after all. Since I was not there, I do not want to avoid the question and will answer here. Personally, I am against it. For a nation whose demographic death sentence has effectively already been signed in heaven, it would be logical to change its priorities. When you see a painted rainbow, what associations come to mind? Well, mine too. And when I hear SK, I do not think about women's safety, but something quite different. It is quite obvious to me that the organizations campaigning for Istanbul are exactly the same organizations that most fervently push for accepting refugees. So it is clear that our women's safety is of no concern to them; they have another plan in mind. I have 3 daughters, and that is why I am against the Istanbul Convention. “We Change the Rules” will give each person the individual freedom to choose their own answer on SK. At the current moment, this is not the most critical issue for Latvia. About 118th in importance on the MMN list.

MMN will have individual freedom for everyone to choose their own answer on SK. Personally, I am against it. It is quite clear to me that the organizations that campaign for Istanbul are exactly the same organizations that most ardently campaign for accepting refugees. Therefore it is clear that our women's safety means nothing to them; there is another plan. I have 3 daughters, and that is why I am against the Istanbul Convention.

If this is true, then @uldisaugulis and @AndrisKulbergs must immediately evaluate the facts and confirm that this has no impact on the security of the electoral system. LVM is responsible for developing the electronic online voter registry. https://t.co/fWooAnbDuI