Chairman of Riga City Council Mārtiņš Staķis has decided to step down, as detailed in a public statement released on the 3rd of June.
This decision was caused by the ongoing discord within the coalition in regards to the investigation of possible violations in Riga City Council Transport Department.
According to Staķis, since the snap elections in Riga in 2020 he has worked to introduce modern, sustainable change and good management principles.
One of the main principles was honest management,
which took the shape of tenders, professionals in the management of capital companies, zero tolerance towards wasteful behaviour, corruption or political candidates.
He followed this principle by providing information about money wasting at the Transport Department to the investigation and by reporting it to officials of Riga City Council.
“Unfortunately, to contribute to the investigation of the violations uncovered at the Transport Department and prevent them, politicians responsible for the sector decided to do all they could to “sweep them under the rug” and interfere with the investigation.
My former colleagues picked betrayal – not for me, but the principles that the once shared,” said Staķis.
He says he has tried to manage Riga City Council as a whole unit that is not divided into “kingdoms” ruled by various political factions.
Currently the majority of Riga City Council – my former colleagues Vilnis Ķirsis (JV), Edvards Ratnieks (NA/LRA) and Linda Ozola (Kods Rigai), together with opposition factions of Harmony and Honour to Serve Riga and For Latvia’s Development – have picked a different development path for the city, which is clearly indicated by last week’s votes in the city council, said Staķis.
The majority composed by Ķirsis and Ratnieks with support from the opposition is taking shape.
“Productive work for the benefit of Riga’s residents is not possible when we have one coalition on paper, but in reality we have a completely different majority. This is why I have decided to step down,” Staķis mentioned in his announcement.
According to him, the coalition of change could have made it to the elections had colleagues stuck to the principles they had agreed upon before – fair management, and work for the benefit of Riga’s residents.
Staķis stressed the existing composition at Riga City Council is able to continue working, and it will by agreeing on a new management and new cooperation conditions.
Snap elections, which is a topic for ongoing speculations and deep instability, would be an unwelcome solution.
Staķis also stressed that his faction (For/Progressive) is open for new coalition talks.
“We are prepared to continue honest work – both in the coalition and opposition,” the announcement mentions.
In his interview to TV3, Staķis called the situation betrayal from other members of the coalition. He also accused Ķirsis of failing his duties in the transport sector, which is where the biggest problems are observed at the moment.
The politician said political parties that are in the municipality will not leave prior to elections because this would not be beneficial to anyone, PP included.
He allowed PP could be included in the next coalition, but the political party does not have an objective to stay in power at any cost.
According to him, the new coalition is already being formed, potential colleagues are reached and posts – discussed. He hopes PP faction will not break apart in these ongoing shocks.
Staķis reminds that a new mayor needs to be elected within two months’ time. Until then, the city council will be managed by one of his existing vice-mayors.
Also read: WHO plans to list aspartame as a potential carcinogen