The political crisis in Riga City Council was “brewed” by Progressive Party (PRO) with their actions, said Vice-Mayor of Riga Vilnis Ķirsis in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
“This whole situation, the political crisis was caused by PRO with its actions.
We expect three things from them – them getting out of the way of an objective investigation, them withdrawing their false, Riga’s reputation-destroying statements,” said Ķirsis.
He said the Progressive Party as the biggest faction needs to present its own vision for the way to continue working and who the next mayor will be.
“I believe these four government-focused parties that started working together would be the best coalition model, and there is no need to reach out to anyone else. But this depends on our Progressive colleagues,” said Ķirsis.
As previously reported, after the start of the conflict about the investigation of the work done by the Transport Department, the ruling coalition of Riga City Council split. Riga’s Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis later announced his decision to step down from his position.
His colleagues from New Unity (JV), National Alliance/Latvian Association of Regions (NA/LRA) and Kods Rīgai (KR) decided to take the initiative in coalition formation talks. But they still expect Par/Progressive (PP) to withdraw their “false claims”.
On Monday, the 3rd of July, Vice-Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis said at a press-conference that JV, NA/LRA and KR expect PP to withdraw their claims about the possible cover-up of the waste of EUR 7 million in the Transport Department, the alleged non-addition of the asphalt concrete layer on Riga’s streets, betrayal of coalition partners and other topics.
Coalition partners believe it is possible to compose the coalition and continue already ongoing tasks as a team.
They believe the decision by Staķis to step down was anti-governmental, because it puts at risk the stability of Riga City Council.
According to him, Riga City Council deputies have to do all they can to avoid snap elections, because it could lead to “anti-governmental forces coming into power in the capital city”, which is why JV, NA/LRA and KR have decided to take the initiative in talks regarding the possible formation of a new coalition.
Staķis believes his former coalition partners –
JV, NA/LRA and Kods Rīgai have basically formed a different majority together with Harmony, Honour to Serve Riga and For Latvia’s Development, adding that decisions are made in other offices, not with PP faction.
On the 16th of June Riga City Executive Director Jānis Lange signed an order to suspend acting director of Riga City Council Transport Department Jānis Vaivods and Chief of Transport Infrastructure Office Andrejs Urtāns for the duration of the investigation of a disciplinary case.
Officials were suspended following a whistle-blower’s report and the inspections that followed soon after. During the investigation officials uncovered severe violations that point to illegal and wasteful actions in relation to road restoration work.
This whole situation only outlined the discord among coalition partners New Unity and Par/Progresssive. The two sides have different opinions on who should be entrusted with investigating the possible violations.
On the 29th of June, after hours of heated discussions and exchange of accusations, Riga City Council approved the legislative draft suggested by New Unity in regards to the formation of a new committee to investigate possible violations in the Transport Department. Debates were so heated, in fact, that some deputies allowed the conflict could lead to snap elections in Riga.
Also read: Latvian parties scramble for new coalition talks for Riga City Council