Latvia, Legislation

Earlier today lawmakers of Saulkrasti local council decided to sack long-standing mayor Ervins Gravitis (National Alliance), and convened an extraordinary meeting to elect a new mayor.

Licis was proposed and supported by eight lawmakers. One lawmaker was against the move, but three abstained.

As reported, five opposition and three coalition members of the Saulkrasti regional council have called for sacking Gravitis.

The councilors demanding Gravitis’ resignation argue that the seaside municipality of Saulkrasti is being poorly governed as the local authority fails to appreciate and use the region’s growth potential, the local authority lacks energy and positive ambition to take resolute and bold decisions that would be aimed at strengthening municipal servants’ professionalism and providing high quality services to residents and entrepreneurs.

“Councilors have doubts about the decision makers’ objectives and the qualification of the persons preparing draft resolutions. As a result, many of the adopted decisions have to be amended and a number of the council’s extraordinary meetings have been cancelled due to the lack of quorum. Under these circumstances, confidence in the current chairman of the council has been lost,” Licis said.

He added that the political crisis in Saulkrasti has become protracted, holding back work on the region’s 2019 budget, education reforms and culture and sports-related matters. The council needs a capable administration, Licis said.