On Thursday, the 1st of December, Latvia’s parliament approved the idea to create a Ministry of Climate and Energy, as well as introduce vice-minister posts in existing ministries.
52 members of the coalition voted in favour of amendments to the Cabinet Structure Law that provide for the creation of a Ministry of Climate and Energy. 45 members of the opposition voted against this.
52 members of the coalition voted in favour of amendments to the State Administration Structure Law. These amendments provide for the creation of vice-minister posts. 36 Saeima deputies voted against this. None of the members of the political party Latvia in First Place took part in the vote.
Amendments to both laws were rejected by the parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee twice before.
It should be mentioned that the ruling coalition does not have majority support in this committee.
The new Ministry of Climate and Energy is planned to be composed of departments from the Ministry of Economics and Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development.
As for vice-minister posts – the law states that these officials will oversee specific sectors and political fields entrusted to them by their respective ministers. Additionally, vice-ministers will have other responsibilities. Vice-ministers will also have advisory rights during government meetings. It is planned for the prime minister to appoint vice-minister. The prime minister will be able to do this following the proposal from ministers.
Also read: Saeima’s Legal Affairs Committee once again rejects idea to create a new ministry and vice-minister posts in Latvia