Latvian Political Monitor

I agree with the Latvian Forest Owners Association that Latvia's largest asset, the forestry sector, if managed wisely, has potential for significant capital growth. In nature protection, quality is more important than the area reported. https://t.co/L4TwKlA1QP

@MGruskevics @Brivibas36 @AndrisKulbergs @EvikaSilina @VKontrole At the moment we are talking about this specific decision.

With the Latvian Association of Wood Industry Exporters, we discussed the need to preserve the forest industry ecosystem by promoting the creation of higher added value. Work must continue on the fee for roundwood exports outside the European Economic Area.

💪🎾 Not just a longer life – a longer and fuller life! 'Latvijas attīstībai' proposes increasing health funding for disease prevention, primary care, and adult health literacy. We will strengthen the role of family doctors and their teams so that every person receives the necessary care in a timely manner. We will accelerate access to new, cost-effective medical technologies and medicines. We will increase funding for preventive programs – screening, vaccination, and harm reduction. We will develop quality treatment and home care, as well as physical activity opportunities as close to home as possible. Result: diseases will be prevented or detected earlier, people will maintain their abilities and independence longer, and live more quality and healthy years. Our goal is not just to add years to life – we want to add life to years. 🗳️ If you agree, vote for list No. 11 'Latvijas attīstībai' on October 3!

No one talks about all the decisions - here there was still a protest letter from ĢP.

Unfortunately, the Prime Minister's actions are no different from JV governments: - shifting everything to law enforcement authorities (this time to the Constitutional Court) - saying that 'the government is not an investigative body' - claiming that nothing can be done because it is all in the past. The Cabinet of Ministers could have recognized the decisions as unlawful. https://t.co/j7Zg71y6dY

@UldisVarnevichs @Brivibas36 Previous government ministers had reason to believe that the documents prepared by @Zemkopibas_min contained truthful info. @AndrisKulbergs is aware that the information was distorted. There is a difference. The initiated criminal process will reveal more about the persons involved.

@UldisVarnevichs @Brivibas36 The criminal proceedings have been initiated. We will see what the involved people will continue to say.

@Jenotsons @Brivibas36 Prosecutor's Office Law: https://t.co/CciL9Xw3zP

Previous governments were misled by the documents submitted by @Zemkopibas_min. Being informed of this, the prime minister continues to protect the illegal decision. That is the difference. https://t.co/Jlijq1DYKQ

I will never understand politicians' lies - @dacemelbarde, possibly as an unknown employee of @VKontrole, publicly claims that @VKontrole was not invited to the Saeima Public Expenditure and Audit Committee meeting. I will disappoint @dacemelbarde and her fan club - we invited, and we also received a reply.

The share of Latvian-produced food on our tables must be increased! With the board of the Biological Agriculture Association, we also discussed the importance of organic food in schools and public catering. From experience, this can only be promoted by more broadly including criteria in procurement. https://t.co/Q0cd0DsK7I

In essence, it is valuable to discuss what the state supports and what it does not, and why. Now we see one non-governmental organization being brought to light as good, while the work of others is belittled. I don't know if this is related to a lack of understanding of what NGOs are and how they operate, but the discussion certainly raises questions about the policy direction. It seems that the course currently offered by Prime Minister Kulbergs is wild NGO policy, where the justification for NGO activity is the donations attracted. But hey, if that is so, let's go a step further – is the activity of companies justified if they receive state support? Let the free market decide who lives and who dies. After all, membership in the European Union provides access to a 450 million market. There the state can also save taxpayers' money. But it is clear that, both in supporting NGOs and companies, the state or local government implements a certain policy – acting to achieve goals that promote the development of society. NGOs are diverse. Some NGOs are pure lobbying organizations, and there are NGOs, for example, that genuinely represent the interests of a particular social group to improve the quality of life of that part of society. They can also be called lobbyists, but they also create targeted social services. All possible funding is attracted to achieve the goal, including from the state, if such an opportunity exists. Blaming NGOs for engaging in state-led projects to achieve their goals is peculiar. Anyone will use all available means to achieve their goal. And here we come to the question of resources. That is the essence of state policy – allocating money to certain priorities to achieve socio-political goals. NGOs can be a good instrument for this, and they are indeed used as such. We see this from many examples where societal challenges are effectively addressed – helping the most vulnerable groups. Even if a new political leadership comes, it is clear that NGOs that already implement projects have legal expectation that they will be able to complete their projects. Everyone understands that public sentiment on certain issues evolves, and what has been funded now might not be after the project ends. Again, one will have to go and prove to decision-makers that the project is useful and should be continued. That is the clear procedure for dialogue with NGOs on the use and allocation of funds. Currently, we observe blatant pre-election populism where one part of society is pitted against another.

@ineselibina @Tieslietas Did JV ministers submit separate opinions that one can review?