Latvian Political Monitor

BNN Focus | Four years, three governments and old problems: how has Latvia reached the elections?

“In history there has never been a case where increasing one benefit suddenly increases the birth rate. That cannot be a short-term solution; it must be long-term. If we talk about demographics, it includes both birth rate and mortality. So – what is healthcare like, also the fight against alcoholism. People need to be helped out of it,” Juris Viļums (AS) said in the #IzvēliesLatvijasNākotni debates in Daugavpils. #Vēlēšanas2026

United aces under the prime minister's leadership: 15th Saeima election list No. 7 - United List

Minister calls to extend the deadline for applying for storm damage compensation

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).

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.

@CerinsAivis Yesterday in Lampa your party's boss Kulbergs affirmed loyalty to the Istanbul Convention. That is the right signal for demographic support. Because traditional families are our enemy.

VAT, pensions, and political champions – “Piķis un ģēvelis!” with guest Edgars Voļskis

Even 5 million euros is money, a significant amount, answering the question of whether the criticized additional allocations of the previous government of 58 million euros could have been reduced not by 5, but by 15 or 20 million euros, says Juris Viļums from the United List.

👏 Congratulations to @AndrisKulbergs and his newly elected government! 🙌 We wish clear vision and the ability to make bold decisions at a time when economic growth, security and public welfare issues are especially important for the country. 🤝 We are aware of what it means to take responsibility five months before elections, so the new government can count on our support as social partners and involvement in implementing common solutions. https://t.co/Df5mRcF1Hu

:)) “Smiltēns also emphasised that the use of VIP services is not a matter of comfort, but a considered exception applied only in special circumstances, and that such decisions are made in cooperation with protocol and security services.” Source - https://t.co/BnzcBtl8zm https://t.co/CM3IJVbAHD https://t.co/jkjOsDpaUC