Latvia, Law and Regulations, Legislation, Taxation

Dzintars Jakans

The Minister for Justice Mareks Seglins (People's Party) suggested that the matter be put to a vote, which resulted in all People's Party ministers voting against Repse's proposal. Ministers from the Union of Greens and Farmers and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK's Kaspars Gerhards abstained, therefore, the motion from New Era was voted down.

After the vote, the ministers discussed what could be done in the situation with Jakans, and eventually decided to put off a final decision until next week.

New Era and the People's Party have been at loggerheads over Jakans for many months, with the latter even insisting he be reinstated.

Repse's proposal was to transfer Jakans to another job in accordance with the State Civil Service Law and the Law on the State Revenue Service. Repse's proposal stipulated that Jakans' monthly salary would remain unchanged, about LVL 2,000 before taxes.

Under the Law on the State Revenue Service, the Revenue Service's acting head, Nelija Jezdakova, will continue as the service's acting director general until a new director general is appointed for the Revenue Service.

As reported, following a disciplinary investigation, Repse decided on January 12 that Jakans must be released from his job.

The ruling coalition, however, did not support the idea, and Repse agreed that transferring Jakans to another job, at a new department under the Finance Ministry, would be considered instead.

As already reported, Jakans was suspended as the Revenue Service's director general on October 22 last year in accordance with Repse's decree. The decision was made because Jakans intentionally ignored Repse's instructions, Repse explained. Three disciplinary cases were opened against Jakans altogether, which was later combined into one.

Jakans was appointed the Revenue Service's head in July 2004.