Latvian Political Monitor

🔴 President Edgars Rinkēvičs has nominated the candidate for prime minister put forward by the previously opposition “United List”, Saeima deputy Andris Kulbergs, for the formation of a new government. https://t.co/HXmMiTMWDg

P will no longer lead the Ministry of Defence. But that is not enough. It is not enough to replace one minister if the entire government has lost the ability to lead the country. NA is ready to take responsibility and form a government whose priority is a safe, Latvian and growing Latvia – not political survival. 4/4

Today we see a government that is delayed, hesitates and is unable to make strategic decisions at a time when the security situation demands a completely clear direction, leadership and ability to act.

🇱🇻 Latvia can no longer afford a weak, indecisive government stuck in mutual compromises. The current government has exhausted itself, as has Vienotība its opportunity to lead it. 2/4

‼️The government must resign‼️ I am ready to form a national security government. We will invite AS, ZZS and JV to talks to decide on the possibilities of forming a capable government. 1/4 https://t.co/PU9C3sQvvG

I want to thank the industry and the armed forces. To all patriots. I am resigning from the ministerial post with clear conviction: Latvia, the Latvian army and our national security are the responsibility of us all. Our Latvia, our responsibility.

Today I have decided to resign from the post of Minister of Defense in order to protect the Latvian army from being drawn into a political campaign. In recent days and weeks, we have experienced drone incidents in Latvia and other countries. Foreign drones must not threaten the safety of our people. The defense sector has done a lot and will continue to do so to strengthen our air defense capabilities. And the safety of our people is the responsibility of services across various sectors. The development of the defense sector is my political responsibility. And now my political responsibility is to prevent our armed forces from being drawn into a political campaign. I am not doing this because I have stopped believing in what we do in the defense sector. Quite the contrary. Latvia's defense capabilities are at a high level. Is there still much work to be done? Yes. But the Latvian army, together with allies, is ready today to defend Latvia. I am resigning because our armed forces and the state's defense capabilities are more important than any minister's post or any party's interests. Unfortunately, it is visible that this situation is no longer being used only to criticize the minister or his party. It is being used to question Latvia's defense capabilities, to cast doubt on the readiness of the Ministry of Defense and the National Armed Forces – the Latvian patriots who work daily for Latvia's security. This is not acceptable to me. I will not allow a political campaign against me or against the Progressives to be turned into a campaign against the Latvian army. In recent weeks, we see a very wide and targeted campaign against the Progressives. It happens on various fronts and in various formats. And the reason is simple – the Progressives do not fit into the old party system. With the Progressives, one cannot negotiate things the old way. At the Progressives, there are no politically arranged procurements. There is no division of millions among its own. At our place, decisions, influence, or silence cannot be bought. Neither in catering competitions nor in the million-dollar wood industry affairs. And many do not benefit from that. We see how very different political and economic forces, which otherwise supposedly have nothing in common, suddenly find a common language – from nationalists to Shlesers' supporters, from the business interests of old politics to those who are already openly paving the way for the next populist government. These are the politicians of ZZS, the United List, the National Alliance, and Shlesers' party, who in various combinations have been in power in Latvia for the last 20 years. And in this context, the actions of the New Unity raise questions. I understand concerns about ratings. I understand political pressure. But at a time when a party that calls itself a statesmanlike force starts playing on the same team with those who are preparing the next Shlesers and populist government, that is short-sighted and unstatesmanlike conduct. It becomes especially dangerous when, in the name of these political games, Latvia's defense capabilities and the professionalism of our armed forces are questioned. I want to say very clearly: The Latvian army is strong. The Latvian armed forces are professional. Latvia's defense sector works. And no political force has the right to undermine trust in national defense because of its campaign. It is time for New Unity to look at itself as well. One cannot turn every problem in the country into someone else's fault. One cannot always look for culprits outside oneself. One cannot be at the center of power for years and at the same time pretend that others are only responsible for the system's problems. New Unity has 26 deputies in the Saeima and eight ministers in the government, including the prime minister and the finance minister. It is the largest government party. Therefore, one cannot simultaneously claim political control over the entire government and at the same time avoid responsibility for what is happening in the country. In the government and in politics, there must also be responsibility for oneself, for one's own decisions, and for the political culture that is being created in the country. I will continue to work in the Saeima. I will continue to defend the principles I have stood for all my professional life – as an academic, as an expert, as a politician, and as a minister. Responsibly and purposefully.

:)) “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

It is hard to imagine how a kindergarten director would sneak into work late at night to commit crimes that need to be investigated by @KNABinforme. @Apvienotais proposes to exclude such institution directors from the circle of state officials. There is a lively discussion about this in the Saeima State and Local Government Commission.

Party ratings in July: Prime Minister's party in the lead; ZZS falls below the 5% threshold.