At an extraordinary meeting concerning the state budget project, Saeima deputies criticised opposition member Jānis Vitenbergs’ proposal to secure in the next year’s budget EUR 50 million for Rail Baltica.
This financing amount would ensure the continuity of the construction process, the Saeima deputy explained his request. “The main track cannot be built without budget funds,” said Vitenbergs, adding that “game rules have to be changed”.
Saeima deputy Ainārs Šlesers (Latvia in First Place) said that, despite the fact that both parties are in opposition, LPV will not support this proposal, as the requested EUR 50 million cannot be provided, because “nothing is accomplished there”.
The Saeima deputy once again criticised Rail Baltica project, stressing that not enough has been done so far to implement the project. “This project is a bluff, has been from day one. It has nothing to do with security or business,” Šlesers emotionally exclaimed, adding that residents won’t benefit from the project at all. He said taxpayers will be forced to keep paying for it to “maintain the track”.
Saeima deputy Edmunds Zivtiņš said Latvia is a hostage: Estonia and Lithuania have pulled Latvia into a failed project. “How will Liepaja, Daugavpils and Ventspils benefit from that?” he rhetorically asked, adding that the costs are unbalanced.
Saeima deputy Andrejs Ceļapīters invited his colleagues to think about the benefits from Rail Baltica. He stressed that “we have to stop and think”, and if people conclude there are no benefits, the project should be halted.
Saeima deputy Kristaps Krištopans said he is surprised the government isn’t looking into the consequences of cancelling the project. “We’ve finally started counting money,” said Krištopans, proposing the cancellation of Rail Baltica project.
Saeima deputy Edgars Tavars added that he will not vote “for a single cent” until there is clarity about what exactly it is planned to build. It is also necessary to wait for Rail Baltica project’s inquiry committee’s final report, as it would allow the Saeima and the government to make decisions on what should be done in the future.
The majority of Saeima deputies rejected Vitenbergs’ proposal.
As it is known, the Latvian Saeima continues reviewing the state budget project for 2025 in the final reading.