Political parties New Unity (JV), Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and Progressive party agree that it is necessary to release shares of state enterprises on the exchange, as politicians of these parties confirmed after talks organised by JV.
Politicians from the Combined List (AS) and National Alliance (NA) were invited to attend as well, but these to parties had previously made it clear they have no interest in attending this format, stressing that they are against the possible expansion of the existing coalition with ZZS and Progressive party.
ZZS Saeima faction leader Viktors Valainis said that Latvia is “far from ideal management of state companies”.
During the meeting all sides discussed the way it could be done and how to improve capital market indexes in order to reach the level of Latvia’s neighbouring countries.
Valainis said there are multiple state-owned businesses in Latvia. Release of their shares on the exchange would not raise questions among residents.
As an example Valainis mentioned the new shared company created by Latvenergo and Latvian State Forests. This company is developed to develop wind turbine parks.
The politician said the conversation about the management of state companies showed parties have a shared vision for the way to solve these problems.
Progressive party stressed during the meeting the need to follow good management principles when managing state companies, as well as reduce all possible types of political influence, as confirmed by Progressive party’s Saeima faction leader Kaspars Briškens.
According to Briškens, it is necessary to enhance the international competitiveness of state companies, because unlike neighbouring countries’ state companies, Latvian companies are not always able to compete in international markets.
He added that Progressive party, ZZS and JV agree that the release of shares of state companies on the exchange is the direction that would bring Latvia’s economy considerable added value.
Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens said he is happy to see ZZS and Progressive party to have such a positive view on this topic, because during the creation of the government’s declaration the topic of releasing shares of state companies was a taboo for existing coalition partners – AS and NA.
Previously PM Krišjānis Kariņš mentioned that he wants to see support in favour of state companies entering the exchange.
After the meeting held on Tuesday, the 20th of June, Ašeradens said he is sad to see AS and NA still refusing to respond to invitations to attend “discussions about topics important to the state”. JV politician said he is not positive about this kind of behaviour.
He said this summer should see more considerations for conceptual topics and discussions of complicated topics that have been taboo until now. “Those who come also demonstrate a clear position – that these topics are important and interesting to society. We went to discuss them, but our partners refuse to come,” said the Minister of Finance.
Ašeradens mentioned the PM maintains an “open doors” policy, which is why JV will continue inviting AS and NA to attend meetings.
Progressive party’s Saeima faction leader Briškens is of a similar mind when it cones to the behaviour of AS and NA. He believes political discussions among parties are critically necessary, because the coalition disagrees on various topics. Progressive party hopes talks will continue with more participants.
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