Politicians must wake up and act decisively, following more active action in the Saeima as well, including from the opposition, which is also quite powerless at the moment, said former President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers in his interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma, commenting the ongoing government “restart” in Latvia.
When asked if there is a “breakthrough” expected from the government’s work, Zatlers said it should have followed immediately. New candidates for the now vacant ministries should have come immediately after the initial announcement, demonstrating that the government has become more dynamic and capable of acting quickly and decisively.
“Instead we can see everyone fooling around,” said the ex-president, saying that comments about the need for consultations and board meetings are nothing more than excuses.
“Listen, you should have been prepared – this situation did not appear overnight,” Zatlers said.
The ex-President mentioned that all of this government’s ministers have a negative popularity rating. Increasing it is a difficult task. At the same time, if someone has the naive idea that a different government will come and it will immediately have a positive rating – it will not happen. “The situation has deteriorated,” he said.
In this situation, he expects a more active stance from the Saeima, including the opposition. “The opposition is rather incapable as well. I don’t see any dynamic,” he said.
Zatlers believes generally speaking politicians lack decisiveness and risk-taking. “If you don’t risk as a politician, you won’t accomplish anything,” said the ex-President.
As for the Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Zatlers said she is very capable and very humane. “Perhaps this is her problem – she wants to preserve her humanity as Prime Minister. Sometimes you have to act more brutally with power,” said Zatlers, adding that Siliņa has done well dealing with problems so far.
At the same time, Zatlers added that the President has power as well.
Last Friday, Siliņa dismissed Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens, Minister of Education Anda Čakša and Minister of Welfare Uldis Augulis as part of her “government restart”. Wednesday, the 26th of February, was their last day as ministers.