After a meeting of the government coalition held on Monday, the 16th of January, Combined List (AS) Saeima faction chairman Edgars Tavars told journalists that the party has decided to distance itself from the decision made by Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens to reinstate Ieva Jaunzeme as director general of Latvia’s State Revenue Service (VID).
In December 2022 Ašeradens made the decision to issue a reprimand to the previously suspended VID director general Jaunzeme for delays in implementing the minister’s given objectives. He also permitted her to return to work, as reported by LETA.
Tavars said it is clear that
problems related to grey economy were not being resolved, and there were other scandals.
As bare minimum, AS expects the minister to provide a plan how VID is to continue operating.
On Monday, the 16th of January, wasn’t able to provide anything as he is currently away in Brussels. There Ašeradens is expected to participate in a meeting of ECOFIN.
Jaunzeme is allowed to return to her duties until the end of her term. She is also given several tasks to accomplish. Jaunzeme is also required to make regular reports to the minister. Control over completion of said tasks is to be performed by the Ministry of Finance. Jaunzeme’s term ends in February 2024.
Ašeradens explains that
the main objective of the VID director general is restoring the institution’s reputation.
This task is to be done on all levels and offices with zero tolerance approach to corruption and conflicts of interest. Jaunzeme is tasked with making sure bribery in customs does not become a publicly accepted practice. She is also tasked with doing all she can to prevent fraudulent audits or fabricated criminal processes.
Jaunzeme will also have to fundamentally review the personnel management policy and enhance the institution’s internal control systems to prevent possible offences by VID officials, said Ašeradens.
According to the ministry, it is highly important to enhance the internal control system and prevent corruption and conflicts of interest. It is also highly important to enhance monitoring over the Tax and Customs Police.
Before making his decision, Ašeradens met with Jaunzeme. She told him that together with VID Internal Security Office a great deal has already been accomplished with improvement of the internal control system and grey economy prevention.
«The time has come to raise the institution’s reputation, demonstrate and prove results of efforts to taxpayers and all residents,» said Ašeradens.
The disciplinary case against VID director general was commenced on the 15th of September 2022 both in response to the internal investigation report and in response to the series of detainments performed by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau.
Also read: Jaunzeme: VID investigates six cases regarding violations potentially committed by employees