Public expects concrete results from the government, President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated during a press conference on Wednesday following his meeting with Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV).
He emphasized that specific progress is expected in defence, particularly in the development of military infrastructure along the eastern border. Additionally, there are demands for improvements in civil defense, such as long-awaited amendments to construction regulations to make the inclusion of shelters mandatory in new large public buildings.
“It was promised by December [construction regulation changes] – and yet, nothing,” the president stated.
The reduction of bureaucracy in construction was also promised in September, then December, yet as March draws to a close, the necessary legislation has still not reached the Saeima, he pointed out.
Rinkēvičs noted that he has frequently heard ministers speak about their “insurmountable difficulties”.
“To be honest, we have so many bureaucrats and lobbyists that if we keep listening to them, we will never achieve any results,” he said.
The president also stressed the urgent need for concrete action in boosting demographics, reiterating that the public expects not just press conferences and speeches, but real, measurable outcomes from the government, the Saeima, and even the president himself.
“We need clear results in a very short time—that is what it means to step up,” Rinkēvičs asserted.
LETA already wrote that on Wednesday, in an interview on TV3’s “900 Seconds” programme, Siliņa was asked how she assessed Rinkēvičs’ statement about the government’s work, calling on it to pull itself together.
“I think the President should comment on his own comments. How else should I ‘step up’? Should I dismiss more ministers? Let the President explain what exactly he means,” Siliņa replied, adding that she planned to ask him directly during their meeting on Wednesday.
As previously reported, in an effort to “restart” her government, Siliņa dismissed three ministers on the 21st of February: Kaspars Briškens (P) – Minister of Transport, Anda Čakša (JV) – Minister of Education, Uldis Augulis (ZZS) – Minister of Welfare. Their duties officially ended on the 26th of February 26.
The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) has nominated Reinis Uzulnieks, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare, for the position of Welfare Minister. New Unity (JV) has put forward Dace Melbārde, Parliamentary Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, for the position of Minister of Education and Science. Meanwhile, The Progressives have nominated Atis Švinka, a Saeima deputy and Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, as the next Minister of Transport.