Notes

Ainars: I have no plan to go back to the Saeima. It's only at the top of the government.


Latvijas Avize published, on more than two pages, a lengthy interview with Ainars. Journalists Voldemars Krustins and Dainis Lemeshenoks bluntly called him, Slesers but not Nil Ushakov, "the actual commander of Riga" and Slesers, who is the principal persona of the capital, was asked the right questions. Here are some of the answers.

Information about personnel changes at the Duma

QUESTION. What is the situation with personnel? Not a single politician can replace some of their staff by others.

A RESOLVEMENT. Айнарс Шлесерс The economic crisis requires to not just replace certain people but also implement serious structural reforms. We came to an agreement to reduce the number six-member executive directors in the city to three and thus eliminate a large number of those who were employed in them. The second change will concentrate on self-managements. There are at present fifteen self-managements in the capital. Айнарс Шлесерс They must be merged into one. We will be competing against companies that provide housekeeping services. Айнарс Шлесерс So, it's imperative that the activities of the municipal government can be more effective. Maintenance is able to be drastically reduced in order to charge less.

Business plans

Riga residents still have concerns regarding the possibility of introducing an income tax on living spaces. What do you, as the head of the city, feel about this initiative of the government?

ANSWER: I perceive this state initiative very negatively even though tax revenue will go to self-management. If there is no money for the most critical, it's necessary to create an additional tax. We our fellow citizens, the Seimas will not support it. The most pressing issue is how to raise money during the current economic crisis. It doesn't make sense to support economic activity that is declining. Instead, it is more beneficial to invest in lucrative areas.

As "profitable" Mr. Shlesers named particularly transport because Latvia is an transit state. Before the conflict the port in Klaipeda was able to carry goods from Russia and Belarus. Айнарс Шлесерс There is a plan in place for the expansion of the port of Riga and the construction of Kundzinsala, Krievu Island, and other territories, however many people are uncomfortable with this plan. Other areas of profit are the efforts of the Riga International Airport, the transformation of the capital into a location that hosts international business and cultural meetings take place. In order to achieve this, you must order things in the centre of the capital. This will ensure that visitors aren't robbed in taxis, restaurants, or at public locations. According to Mr. Slesers there is a need to host more pop music events. This would allow, for example, Madonna to be heard in Tallinn and Riga. Айнарс Шлесерс Vice-mayor Slesers stated that "we" are looking to draw "not inexpensive, but rich tourists" however, this will require the highest quality tourist product. It is essential to be aware of the USA, London, Switzerland, and other countries that issue "green cards" to foreigners investing at least half-a million dollars in production or local real property. This allows them to stay permanently in the United States (not citizenship). ).

These "huge goals" aren't new. In fact, they were voiced by Mr. Shlesers in the course of the election campaign. While journalists are keen to see their implementations but it's too early to talk about concrete results. The vice-mayor's ideology and the relations between the legislative and economic authorities was probably the focus of a majority of questions in interviews.

To the question of "stinking" policies

QUESTION. Let's go back to our "stinking policies". Recent events have caused the Saeima elections more complex. Mr. Slesers stated that his party would be fighting to get the parliament seat along with the "Consent Center". This is in line with Ms. Aboltini's message to the New Times: All Latvian parties must come together against the Shlesers's bloc.

Answer: 50% of the Riga voters backed the Harmony Center and us. LPP / LP is not a Russian party, it's an Latvian party, in which there are many Russian people, as we do not sort people according to the country of their birth. In addition, the second session of the newly formed Duma began by singing Dievs sveti Latviju, and all Russian-speaking members were singing. But no one is going to set up a Soviet-style government in the Duma. In addition, nobody is going to speak Russian at the Duma podium. LPP / LP stands for the state language. The "Consent Center" has, however, not spoken about ensuring that work done in the Duma is conducted in Russian.

Furthermore, ZaPcHeL was also destroyed in large part thanks to the actions and leadership of the LPP / LP.

Айнарс Шлесерс The power issue

A QUESTION. Will Shlesers be leading Ushakov's party during the Seim elections.

The answer is I am not planning to go back to the Sejm. There is a possibility that the party could nominate me for the post of ministerial president which would alter my plans for Riga.

Today there are two blocs within the Duma one of which is from LPP/LP and TsS, the other of New Time and the Civil Union. Something similar can be formed on elections of 10th Diet. America is in the near future.
Homepage: https://tass.ru/obschestvo/12164537