The Latvian government is unlikely to accomplish everything set out in its government declaration, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) acknowledged in an interview with the LETA news agency.
He said that within his first month in office it had already become clear that the government’s working methods and the large number of day-to-day issues significantly limit its ability to focus on strategic priorities. “We definitely won’t get everything done. That is absolutely clear,” the prime minister said.
According to Kulbergs, the government’s declaration is overly ambitious, while much of the Cabinet of Ministers’ agenda is occupied by issues that, in his view, should not be handled at the government level. He argued that this not only reduces the time available for strategic decision-making but also blurs responsibility for decisions that are taken.
Overall, Kulbergs said he is generally satisfied with the performance of his ministers. However, after reviewing the first presentations prepared by ministries for the government’s off-site meeting in Latgale on 27 May, he concluded that Latvia’s public administration places too much emphasis on processes rather than concrete, measurable results. He said ministries still require significant changes in their working culture.
The prime minister noted that he has already begun reforming the way the government operates, although some changes will only be possible over the longer term because they require amendments to existing legislation. Kulbergs also expressed hope that he will remain prime minister after the next Saeima elections, adding that this will ultimately depend on the government’s performance and results.
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