This week the Saeima approved changes to the composition of Latvia’s government, approving two new ministers – Minister of Economics Ilze Indriksone and Minister of the Interior Kristaps Eklons.
This week a report came from State Police about progress made in the investigation of the murder or insolvency administrator Mārtiņš Bunkus. Police said they have managed to identify most if not all people involved in the murder. On Tuesday, 24 May, police detained multiple people, including the supposed client and the one who did the deed. Police refrain from providing more information about the progress of the investigation, as it has entered a sensitive stage.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Minister of the Interior – Eklons; Minister of Economics – Indriksone; Second term; Bunkus’ murder; Employment; Demolition.
MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR – EKLONS
Kristaps Eklons approved as Latvia’s new Minister of the Interior
Kristaps Eklons. Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAOn Thursday, 26 May, Latvia’s Saeima approved deputy chief of State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) Kristaps Eklons as the country’s new Minister of the Interior.
Eklons previously said he plans to continue tasks previously commenced by his predecessor Marija Golubeva and promote his own initiatives on top of that.
He agreed to take the post for multiple personal reasons, as well as to focus the state’s attention towards domestic security. Thanks to regular communication with Ukrainian colleagues, Eklons said he understood even more how important internal security is for state stability.
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MINISTER OF ECONOMICS – INDRIKSONE
Ilze Indriksone approved as Latvia’s new Minister of Economics
Ilze Indriksone. Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAOn Thursday, 26 May, Latvia’s parliament voiced support of Ilze Indriksone as a candidate for the post of Minister of Economics. Indriksone mentioned energy independence and security through the use of renewable energy resources.
It is also important to continue attraction of investments, support instruments and promotion of science-business cooperation to improve competition. She also mentioned improving accessibility of housing in regions.
«In this difficult geopolitical situation, when we also have to fight consequences caused by Covid-19 pandemic, and recover from the rapid surge of energy prices we also have to deal with economic consequences of Russian-Ukrainian war. On top of all that, I will have to make quick and constructive decisions to make sure Latvia’s economy and our residents don’t suffer.
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SECOND TERM
Latvian government agrees to keep current head of KNAB in office
Jēkabs Straume. Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAOn Tuesday, 24 May, Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers discussed the topic of re-approval of Jēkabs Straume as the chief of Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) for a second term. Straume received support from the government. Now the Saeima will discuss his candidacy.
As previously reported, Straume was picked for the post in an open selection process in March.
Straume’s first term as chief of KNAB started in June 2017. Before then he worked for 16 years in the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD). Ten of those years were spent working as chief of the office. Before ten he worked in State Police Organized Crime Enforcement Office. His duties included participation in international missions, as well as representation of Latvia and MIDD in NATO institutions.
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BUNKUS’ MURDER
Latvian police identify and detain those responsible for murder of insolvency administrator Bunkus
Photo: Zane Bitere/LETALatvian police have successfully identified nearly all the people involved in the murder of insolvency administrator Mārtiņš Bunkus. On Tuesday, 24 May, police detained multiple persons, including the man who supposedly ordered the hit and the person who did the deed, as reported by State Police.
Police refrain from commenting on the exact number of people, their birth years and roles in the crime. The investigation continues.
Chief of State Police Criminal Investigations Office’s 1st Department Romāns Jašins said that this is one of the biggest ordered murder case to have caused such a high public resonance and attention from the community in the history of the police force.
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EMPLOYMENT
Percentage of lasting unemployed persons down in Latvia
Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAIn Q1 2022 Latvian unemployment rate constituted 7.3 %. Over the quarter unemployment rate grew by 0.2 percentage points, while over the year it fell by 0.8 percentage points.
In Q1 this year, there were 68.0 thousand unemployed persons aged 15–74 (incl.), which is 6.7 thousand fewer than a year ago and 1.5 thousand more than in the previous quarter, according to data of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
In Q4 2021 Latvian unemployment rate (7.1 %) was 0.7 percentage points above the EU average (6.4 %). In Q1 2022 Latvian unemployment rate was the highest in the Baltic states (5.5 % in Estonia and 6.4 % in Lithuania).
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DEMOLITION
Latvia a step closer to demolition of Victory Park’s monument
Photo: Lauris Nagliņš/LETAOn Thursday, 26 may, Latvia’s parliament passed in the first reading the draft of a new law that provides for demolishing the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders in Riga, Victory Park.
The legislative draft declared urgent On Prohibition of Display of Objects Glorifying the Soviet and Nazi Regimes and Their Dismantling in the Territory of the Republic of Latvia states that the Cabinet of Ministers is to provide a full list of other removable objects by 30 July 2022.
Demolition of all problematic objects is to be performed by 15 November 2022. Removal will be the duty of municipal administrations responsible for the territories in which monuments and other Soviet objects are located. It is planned for the demolition to be financed from the donations provided by private and legal persons, if such donations exist. Remaining funding will come in equal amounts from the state and municipal budgets.
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BNN summary of the week: Changes in the government. Bunkus’ murder. A step closer to demolishing Victory Monument
