Riga City Council New Unity (JV) faction leader Olafs Pulks is one of two politicians in the local municipal administration whose deputy mandate “has reached maturity” – the man has worked in the city council for a full 18 years. [The other politician is Harmony member Mihails Kameņeckis.]
This is why as a city council deputy, who survived Nils Ušakovs’ rule over Riga (2009-2019) from start to finish, he does not believe the current situation in the capital city’s administration is not anything overly dramatic or unsolvable. On top of that, the minister in charge of municipal affairs does not want to intervene in this political crisis. Even the state president would rather urge deputies to “pull themselves together”.
Are you satisfied that in the efforts to form a new majority you – what I mean is the core that is composed of three leading parties with 20 mandates – are left to marinate in your own juice, so to speak?
–Of course! This means that we – people’s representatives elected to Riga City Council – are able to make decisions on our own. I can see why were are told that: if no chairman is elected in the next two months, they could initiate the entire city council’s dissolution, but this would be a complete emergency, and we would rather avoid that. We need to think twice here. If chaos broke out and the municipality left unable to perform is duties, then and only then this would be the solution.
What are the options for the simplest possible solution to resolve the political crisis: restore the majority that existed before Mārtiņš Staķis’ sudden decision to leave his post? Arithmetically this would be a more practical solution that hastily putting together a coalition with help from out of faction deputies.
–We tried to do that for a whole month. It seemed like Progressive colleagues – at least some of them – didn’t want this solution. They liked the idea of snap elections, transitioning into opposition or something else more than this. When we wanted to discuss tasks, they wanted to discuss posts; when we wanted to discuss posts, they wanted to discuss values… We then stumbled our way forward and concluded we cannot allow another month of this.
As a politician of Riga City Council, can you explain Progressive party’s categorical position? Why is there this push to remove oneself from power?
–It cannot be explained purely logically, because people come to politics to fight for power. Otherwise there are more interesting activities. I think there is no unity among Par!/Progressive faction and to
cover it up they stalled for time,
attempting to have some outside force intervene in this topic’s resolution – or something else. It is hard for me to say what lies beneath all this.
Yes, there are many people new to politics among members of Par!/Progressive faction. Perhaps it was a moment of confusion. But they should have asked their member Mārtiņš Staķis why he decided to step down as mayor of Riga without really explaining the reasons for this decision.
I’m still confused over this. Even if the main version of events is the one they are holding onto. Edvards Ratnieks, for instance, said in an interview once that Staķis lost support of the majority in the city council. If this is the main reason, he should have asked us – JV faction – or someone else if we really lost the majority. But he did nothing of the sort and simply stepped down.
What is the possibility of finding a majority of deputies to compose a new coalition?
–It won’t be easy. But no one said it would be simple. In any case, we are seriously planning to create a new faction council to represent all forces working in the city council. This council would discuss and work on topics considered controversial.
It will be necessary to bring in out of faction deputies to secure a majority.
– Yes, without a doubt, and we have discussed this with them. These people are focused on results and are prepared to work. We have invited them to join is. We’ll see how it will take shape in practice.
Won’t some out of faction deputy feel the urge to blackmail the core of the coalition: “If you don’t buy me a golden carriage, I’ll collapse this majority!”?
– It’s clear that a lot depends on the city council’s chairman if the coalition turns out weak. He or someone from his faction will need to be able to balance different interests to reach agreements. We will need to spend a lot of time in discussions. But all deputies have to understand that this prancing around is what could lead to snap elections.
Considering Par! political party’s announcement on plans to continue working in the majority, do you think this Pe-Pe faction could fall apart?
–We hope members of this faction will join the coalition. Especially people from Par! faction. We would welcome this! I believe people there are just as confused about the reasons why Staķis stepped down as we are. We have also commenced work on tasks to be completed by elections of 2025. Riga’s residents expect work, not an exchange of accusations. This is why I invite all of us to join!
Do you have a role eyed for Honour to Serve Riga political party in the coalition formation plans?
–We are speaking with them as a partner of the potential new coalition.
Can you explain why an organisation that was in the power tandem shared by Nils Ušakovs and Andrs Ameriks is within the red lines of your plans?
–The past is different, and it will be following us for a long time. If we look at the work done by GKR this term, we can see the faction voted for Mārtiņš Staķis. Secondly, on the 24th of February 2022 they confidently took the side of Ukraine. Thirdly,
GKR voted in favour of the removal of the “occupation monument” Pārdaugava.
These are concrete things that show the faction’s position and values. We will look how we work together… But the first round of talks offers some hope.
What is your opinion of Harmony faction’s announcement that the city council should be dissolved? Do they hope to get more seats in snap elections? Or is it purely to demonstrate their position?
– I consider this announcement from Harmony more aimed at [For Stability leader Aleksejs] Rosļikovs. To show they are not afraid of anything, snap elections included. This is because in Rosļikovs’ camp there was tangible activity. If elections are organised, everyone will have to run in them – those who want to, of course. But we are all prepared to continue working in this composition until mid-2025.
Your prediction: when can we expect clarity about the new majority in the city council?
– All I can predict is that it may come in the coming weeks.
Remind me, please, about the important tasks Riga City Council members have on their plate? First, of course, there is the city’s budget for next year.
– Yes, the budget. Accomplishing it will be the city council’s main challenge. There are also major road traffic construction infrastructure work left to complete: the eastern motorway, Brasas bypass…
Construction workers are on those right now – do they really need any political votes along the way?
–The decisions are made, but these tasks also have a major impact on the city – road traffic needs organising and everything else. Rīgas satiksme also has important infrastructure work ahead, because Gen. Radziņa embankment needs to be adapted to suit low-floor tramways. We also hope to sign a procurement for work on Mūkusalas Street. We have announced a procurement for the fourth stage of construction of the Southern Bridge. We are grateful to the government for providing funds. All of it needs to be monitored.
We will look for ways to sort out the situation with yards as well. People complain a lot about that. Riga needs to support young families and look for specialists – especially teachers. Then there is the apartment rent programme. We have a lot of work to do.
Also read: BNN ASKS | VARAM will not intervene in Riga City Council’s internal conflict, minister hopes