Chairman of Jelgava municipal council resigns after period of instability

On Wednesday, 5 January, chairman of Jelgava municipal council Ziedonis Caune, who previously announced his resignation, was dismissed from his post.
He did not participate in the no-confidence vote. The reason is because he is away on unplanned leave. 11 council members voted in favour of his dismissal, four voted against and three did not participate in the vote.
The proposal suggested by seven deputies was submitted on 21 December.
Part 4 of Section 65 of the Law on Local Governments requires an extraordinary meeting to be organised within two weeks of the proposal’s submission if there is no scheduled meeting planned within that period of time. Because no extraordinary meeting was called, the issue was put on the agenda of the next scheduled meeting. The municipal council explains that on Wednesday there was a meeting that was originally planned to take place in December and did not happen. The reason is because it was not possible to hold the meeting at the end of the year for various organisational reasons.
Additionally, at the most recent meeting, which took place before the first scheduled meeting of the council, 11 deputies voted in favour, four voted against and three abstained in the vote for the amendments to the municipal council’s internal order, providing the order under which vice-chairmen will be performing duties of the chairman.
It was decided that in cases when the council chairman is away on unplanned leave, is dismissed or steps down, his duties will be performed by the vice-chairman for education, culture and sports. Andris Ozoliņš is currently in this post. If both the chairman and vice-chairman for education, culture and sports are away, the duties of the chairman are performed by the vice-chairman for development and infrastructure maintenance. Oskars Cīrulis is currently in this post. If all the aforementioned officials are unavailable, the duties of the chairman are performed by the vice-chairman are performed by the vice-chairman for social and welfare affairs. Ilze Vītola is currently in this post.
Amendments to the municipal council’s internal order come to force on the next day after their signing.
Municipal council deputies had previously suggested organising an extraordinary meeting for Caune’s no-confidence vote.
Caune announced at the end of December that he will step down form his post after approval of the budget. The reason he gave was political pressure.