MP Armands Krauze: Coalition continues to feast in time of plague

Interview with Armands Krauze, Chairman of the Latvian Farmers’ Union (Latvijas Zemnieku savienība, LZS), about parking lots, budget, teachers' strike and other current events.

You and MP Aldis Gobzems have addressed the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) in connection with the statements of Druvis Kleins, a former member of the Riga City Council of the New Conservative Party (Jaunā konservatīvā partija, JKP), regarding the use of free parking permits granted to members of the Riga City Council. So it turns out that the parking thing is not over yet?

It is not over, because I believe that there is still a lot that KNAB should check. In this case, no longer about Development/For! (Attīstībai/Par!, AP), but on possible violations by JKP members. In the interview with Neatkarīgā, Kleins stated that two parking cards had been issued per deputy in the Riga City Council, one of which had been returned to the party leadership for the needs of the party.

This is what both the position and the opposition parties supposedly did, in fact it was a system. Kleins claims that Jānis Ozols, the leader of the JKP faction of the Riga City Council, justified the request for cards to JKP deputies on the grounds that the cards are needed for the assistants of JKP Saeima deputies so that they can park their cars by the parliament.

It is unfortunate to hear that this practice has been practiced by the JKP, which has declared itself to be the guardian of the rule of law. But they themselves are seem to be acting against the law?

For "ordinary mortals", such permits cost about 250 euros a month. So every such person, who doesn't really deserve a pass, has "saved" three thousand a year. That's a lot of money. How many such people are there? How many years has this been happening?

And what will happen to the Pūce family parking permit?

I think that is work for law enforcement. Juris Pūce (AP) has resigned, but the legal aspects of this case and legality have not been assessed.

This must not be done. I understand if there is a parking lot at the workplace and a car can be parked there. But a permit that gives you the exclusive right to park your car anywhere in the city is an excessive luxury.

Public transport tickets could also be issued to Saeima deputies so they can travel by tram. Public transport in the city is very good. This would save a lot of money, it would be good for the environment and the air, not as it is now when MPs are involved in creating congestion.

Your colleague in the Greens and Farmers Union (Zaļo un Zemnieku Savienība, ZZS), the leader of the Latvian Green Party (Latvijas Zaļā partija) Edgars Tavars, recommends that the Union of Education and Science Employees go on a strike - if the Minister of Education and Science Ilga Šuplinska continues to fail to meet the requirements. If I understand correctly, LZS agrees with this?

Any industry must exercise the rights allowed by law so that the industry can survive and develop - including education, if there is no other option left. Šuplinska is unable to talk to teachers, her reforms are questioned by experts, except for those in her pocket.

Of course, the situation is unpleasant, covid restrictions must be observed, but teachers, who are forced to do a lot of extra work during this time, must be paid extra.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš gave a rather interesting speech. How do you interpret what he said?

When he came up with the announcement that there would be an announcement, I expected there to be some concrete things, a specific plan, but there were just general phrases that everything is bad and it won’t get better. It was strange. It seems to me that this address was not intended for the people of Latvia. It was more meant for a coalition with the idea, "Get it together and start working as a team!" I just don't know why Kariņš said this message on all television channels, instead of telling his ministers. It seemed that Kariņš was unable to bring together this diverse coalition that had formed.

The budget was finally adopted

The adoption of the budget did not go as smoothly as it would if it had taken place in the normal rather than the remote mode. All the opposition's proposals were ignored, although many were constructive and would benefit the people.

The arrogance with which the coalition pushed for its own salary increase is astonishing. Only after very strong public pressure, after ridicule on social networks, have some parties now begun to express that they will not support raising the income of officials.

Although it should be different - we should show solidarity with those whose incomes have fallen and we should also reduce our salaries. The rulers impose restrictions, forbid many to work, but live flush themselves. A feast in time of plague.

The government, for example, is proposing to increase the differentiated non-taxable income threshold from 1,200 euros to 1,800. This means that it will give a small addition to the wallet only to those who earn above average. So the government cares a little for those with above-average wages, but not at all for those with below-average wages. So the promises of caring for the less fortunate are empty. There is not the slightest concern for the less well-off.