Author: Dainis Lemešonoks
It’s an Eastern European phenomenon – person who is one foot in prison can become an object of worship for part of society. We are not unique in this regard – Romania and Bulgaria are in the same boat, as Māris Kučinskis from the Combined List said in his interview.
-I don’t think the new Saeima will have as a difficult time as the previous Saeima did. At the same time, not only have 60% of Saeima deputies been replaced, but the same percentage of them are with an unprecedented raise. Soon people with experience will enter the Saeima. Some of them gained experience while working in the parliament and some gained it in other jobs. There will be dark horses, the Progressive and even Roslikov’s team, most members of which are unknown as of yet.
-What are your thoughts about the future set for us on 1 October?
-The parliament will not have to start from scratch. I am more worried how we’re supposed to last one more months as the 13th Saeima. Many lost in elections – will they resist the temptation to take everyone down with them? At the same time they almost destroyed the country’s pension system.
Last week the departing Saeima deputies left the 14th Saeima a farewell gift of sorts – the vote for the very odd Skulte gas terminal project. I doubt most even know what they voted for. It’s entirely possible that we will have to add many corrections to it very soon.
About the future. We, the Combined List, will strongly stick to our programme. We have already put everything we have on the table in coalition formation talks. We will not be a continuation of the previous government – when everyone sticks to their seats in ministries and pay attention only to their assigned sectors or gamble and trade to secure their narrow business interests.
It is in our interests to create a fast and dynamic government that will attract experts and will cooperate with businesses and municipalities. A government that will restore what’s been destroyed and giver the country a new breakthrough. Because we will have to make it through two difficult years – this winter and the next – until we can stabilise supplies of energy resources. Furthermore, we are connected to a single grid.
We have to break free of Russian gas on our own, find alternative fuel at competitive prices, and break down bureaucratic obstacles in the industry. But we are very dependent on the European market, and if Germany starts shaking (because of the energy crisis), then… We must be vigilant every day not only in matters of security, because the war is not ending, but also in economic matters. Our position is thus: if Unity won, they deserve to make the first step in the formation of the new government. No one can deny that. The question is whether Kariņš can afford to play a role different to the one he played in the previous government.
-What you just said can be interpreted this was as well: you are prepared to slow coalition formation talks to make sure the Combined List lands a seat at the end of the table when discussions reach the topic of the seat of the prime minister!
-No, no and no! We respect the choice made by voters. We have no plans to latch onto anything… In the government declaration we emphasize only our priorities and ways to implement them.
As for the future, I have things I want to say about ‘greens and farmers’. Deceit can serve as pre-election promotion tactic, but there is the Eastern European phenomenon – that a person who is one foot in prison can become an object of worship for part of society. We are not unique in this regard – Romania and Bulgaria are in the same boat… This time the Union of Greens and Farmers was elected thanks to votes from Russian-speaking citizens. I don’t know what members of the party have to say about that. We, the ones who left, were very respectful towards our former compatriots – Uldis Augulis, for example, was a minister in my government! We did not call them mean names during debates… But I did ask them: how do you feel since you’re now «red» instead of «green»? And it’s not just because of the union with social democrats, more because the Union of Greens and Farmers received more votes thanks to the people who turned away from Harmony.
They told me they feel fine. Goals justify the means. But is their goal to once again be in opposition? If so, there is nothing we can do to help.
Ex-Prime Minister: it’s an Eastern European phenomenon, when a person one foot in prison becomes an object of worship
