At today’s Riga City Council meeting, only one candidate was nominated for the position of mayor – Viesturs Kleinbergs, a politician from the “Progressives” and the candidate put forward by the new council coalition.
The opposition did not nominate any candidates for the mayoral post.
In his address to the council members, Kleinbergs acknowledged that the new coalition is made up of various parties with different programs and ideologies, but emphasized that it would work in the interests of Riga’s residents. “Riga’s citizens don’t care about political games or ideological battles. They want to see well-maintained streets and safe bridges,” said Kleinbergs.
He stressed that the Riga City Council coalition has three clear overarching goals: a safe, resilient, and crisis-ready Riga; a city that is friendly to education, sports, and culture; and a capital capable of taking a leading role in the Baltic region.
Kleinbergs promised to develop a ten-year plan for improving streets and sidewalks, repairing bridges, developing water transport, increasing the availability of affordable housing, and more. He also pledged to renovate schools and kindergartens, promote the learning of the Latvian language, and place special emphasis on cultural development.
He stated that he would be a mayor for all residents of Riga, not just for supporters of his party or coalition.
He promised to be honest, transparent, and accessible to everyone.
As reported, the new coalition in the Riga City Council consists of the “Progressives,” the National Alliance (NA), “New Unity” (JV), and the “United List,” all of which have signed a cooperation agreement and action plan. This coalition will hold 34 out of 60 seats.
Under the planned arrangement, the “Progressives,” with 11 mandates in the council, will get the mayor’s seat, with Viesturs Kleinbergs as their candidate. The “Progressives” will also be responsible for the Finance and Administrative Affairs Committee and the Transport and Traffic Committee.
The emerging coalition has also agreed to restore three deputy mayor positions. Each of the political forces will have one deputy mayor. Residents can still express their opinions on these changes until June 30.
It is planned that
the Deputy Mayor for Security, Property, Housing, and Environmental Affairs will be a representative of NA
– most likely the current deputy mayor Edvards Ratnieks. NA will oversee the Security, Order and Anti-Corruption Committee, the Housing and Environment Committee, and the City Property Committee. NA holds 10 council seats.
Although JV has just one fewer deputy (nine), it is planned to receive one committee fewer than NA in the distribution of positions. The Deputy Mayor for Education, Culture, Sports, and Family Policy is expected to be JV’s representative – most likely current Riga Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis. JV will be responsible for the Education, Culture and Sports Committee and the Social Affairs Committee.
Despite holding only four seats in the council, the United List (AS) is expected to receive a deputy mayor position and leadership of one committee. The Deputy Mayor for City Development and Riga Metropolis Affairs will likely be AS representative Māris Sprindžuks. AS will also oversee the City Development Committee.
Remaining in opposition will be Ainārs Šlesers’ party Latvia First, which received 18.17% of the vote and secured 13 council seats; the Sovereign Power and New Latvians alliance, which received 12.13% of the vote and eight seats; and the Stability! party, which gained 6.94% of the vote and five seats.
Read also: “Riga’s residents gave us a second chance – if we betray them, there won’t be a third,” Kleinbergs warns