Riga, 12 March 2021 - Environment Protection and Regional Development Minister Arturs Toms Plešs (AP!) is satisfied with the decision of the Constitutional Court (ST) in the case regarding the application of the City Council of Ikšķile regarding the addition of the city of Ikšķile and Tinaūžu civil parish to Ogre municipality and the application of the Limbažu county council regarding the application of Skultes civil parish the addition to the Saulkrastu municipality, and it is highlighted in particular that the judgment coincides with the model of municipal reform directed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.
The Minister also points out that VARAM provide all the necessary support to the Saeima in order to resolve the matter regarding the Skulte parish according to what was decided by the Constitutional Court, and stresses that the conduct of municipal elections on June 5 is safe.
Minister Plešs : “The reform of municipalities has passed ST control in all relevant aspects.The decision of the court in general confirms the reforms of local governments directed by the Cabinet, the compliance of the drafting, consultation and adoption process with the constitution and the European Charter of Local Governments I. This is a fundamentally important decision for Latvian residents and for the development of the country, since it gives the final consent to the marked turn of the reform for the faster and, at the same time, more balanced state development and the well-being of the population.
In terms of productivity, Latvia lags significantly behind not only the old Member States of the European Union (EU) but also its neighbours in the Baltic. In their recommendations, experts from the World Bank, the OECD and the European Commission reiterated that economic backwardness cannot be avoided without major reforms – education, healthcare and municipality, etc. This government's self-government reform will be a platform for the rest.
I dare say that the ST has joined the supportive or neutral treatment of local governments representing more than 60% of Latvia's population with this decision. Of course, a number of judgments are still pending, but the similar content of the applications makes it possible to make a presumption, because the procedures we have followed have been the same in all cases.
People in Latvia need to live better. For example, EU structural funds in municipalities are very limited to investing in business-critical infrastructure and attracting private investments that create new jobs s. At present, only 14 out of 119 municipalities have access to jobs for at least half of their population, 13 of which are municipalities with development centres, while 30 out of 42 municipalities will have at least 40% of their population.
More municipalities will be more efficient, more rational and provide higher quality and comparable services for citizens at a reasonable cost, regardless of residence.
Yes, not every municipality's wishes could be met because we balanced the sometimes diametrically opposed interests of many municipalities with wider public interests”.
Commenting on the decision on the Skultes civil parish, the Minister admits that: “The ST decision turned the matter out legally, bringing an end to political debate, and there is a clear basis for further action. The Skultes civil parish should return to the Lim area, as expected by the draft law prepared by the comission and approved by the MK. "
The Ministry has also already contacted the Central Election Commission to discuss issues related to the submission of lists of Members and the operation of election commissions.
The information was prepared by:
Agnese Vārpina
Minister's advisor for communication and public relations
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
67026478
e-mail: agnese.varpina@varam.gov.lv
www.varam.gov.lv