Each newly elected parliament brings voter hopes for responsible politics, but those hopes often fade over time—and that is happening again with this Saeima, said President Edgars Rinkēvičs in his address to MPs at the final session of the spring sitting.
He emphasized that Latvia’s core priorities remain unchanged: national defense and security, demography, economic development, and quality education. All 17 legislative proposals he has submitted to the Saeima have been aligned with these goals.
Rinkēvičs highlighted the importance of mutual trust between the state and its citizens, noting that people often ask whether Latvia is strong and secure. While voters may start each new parliamentary cycle with expectations for responsibility, “unfortunately, those hopes often fade—and that is happening again today,” he said.
He also criticized the conduct of the recent municipal elections, calling them chaotic. While officials have taken responsibility, that alone is not enough; lessons learned must be acted upon. Rinkēvičs raised broader concerns, including delayed hospital construction and the Rail Baltica project, asking rhetorically why such failures persist.
“We know our problems—we are a country focused more on process than results,”
he stated.
He pointed out that EU funds are being absorbed too slowly, largely because project details are being micromanaged at the government level—something Brussels doesn’t require. Additionally, although the Saeima often passes well-crafted laws, problems arise in implementation, he warned.
The President stressed the need to rebuild trust in government and to give citizens confidence in the state. “We ourselves must believe in this,” he said.
Rinkēvičs also addressed the ongoing war in Europe and the Middle East, warning that while we may grasp the urgency rhetorically, action often lags behind. “We must stand up and act—now,” he urged.
He welcomed the increased NATO presence in Latvia, led by Canada, and emphasized the importance of real military capabilities and infrastructure investment.
“We must prepare for the future, not past wars,”
Rinkēvičs said. Defense spending at 5% of GDP is not just a number, he added—”money doesn’t shoot, nor can you hide under it during a crisis.”
He commended the Latvian government for taking timely and appropriate defense-related decisions and said Latvia would call on NATO allies to invest more and faster at the upcoming summit. Domestically, Latvia must also continue strengthening civil defense, civil-military cooperation, and broad public engagement in national defense.
On demographics, Rinkēvičs warned that declining birth rates reflect how people feel about life in Latvia. Fewer than 13,000 children were born in 2023. If current trends continue, Latvia’s population could drop by 100,000 over the next 25 years.
To reverse this, decisions must be taken now—not months or years from now. He called for a review of social benefits, noting that the parental allowance has dropped from 50% of the minimum wage in 2014 to just 20% today. He urged indexation and regular reviews of support measures.
Still, benefits alone will not fix the issue.
Investments are also needed in maternal and child healthcare, housing for young families, and education—a key factor in demographics.
Educated people across all age groups are a critical resource in times of demographic decline.
Finally, the President stressed that the 2025 national budget must reflect these fundamental priorities, noting that its impact will last well beyond 2026. “These are decisions for the sake of our future,” he concluded.
The autumn session of the Saeima will begin on the 1st of September and end on the 22th of December. According to parliamentary rules, there are three regular sessions each year—autumn, winter, and spring. Special sessions can be convened during recesses as needed.
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