Weekly Briefing, Vol. 64. No. 1 (LVA) July 2023
First Month in Office of the new President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics
Summary
Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia’s newly elected president, prioritized a resolute foreign policy, emphasizing support for Ukraine and denouncing Russian imperialism. He aims to address inequality by focusing on quality education, healthcare, and housing. Collaborative solutions were highlighted for Latvia’s progress, with an emphasis on unity and cultural heritage. President Rinkevics received overwhelmingly positive reception in rural areas, where citizens expressed hope for his ability to unite politicians and officials for the country’s greater good and represent Latvia honourably on the international stage. Despite facing political instability and legal system challenges, his early events showcased his dedication to advancing Latvia’s interests both at home and abroad. He is seen as a symbol of hope and change, capable of leading the country towards progress while considering the concerns of the common people.
Introduction
On Saturday, 8 July 2023, President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics, well-known and globally respected politician, the Foreign Affairs minister of the country from 2011-2023, made a solemn promise at the extraordinary session of the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia. The former Minister of Foreign Affairs was nominated by his party “New Unity” (“Jaunā Vienotība”) as a presidential candidate after incumbent President Egils Levits declined to run for a second term due to a lack of coalition support. Rinkevics was elected as President on 31 May 2023 with 52 votes in the third election round, backed by opposition parties “Progresīvie” (“Progressives”) and “Zaļā un zemnieku savienība” (“Unity of Greens and Farmers”). He pledged political neutrality and denied any involvement in political deals. In this Latvia Political briefing the first most notable activities of the President in his first month of the office will be outlined, as well as the reception of the society and expectations of the president for his four years in office will be presented.
Key Take-aways of the Inauguration Speech
Regarding foreign relations, Latvian President Rinkevics is to adopt a resolute external policy, highlighting the threats posed by imperial Russia and the Lukashenko regime. Rinkevics emphasizes the indivisibility of national security, urging for strengthened defence forces. He acknowledges the importance of internal security and praises the dedication of security institutions while condemning bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption. The President’s approach seeks to safeguard Latvia’s stability amid geopolitical challenges.
Latvian President Rinkevics emphasizes the importance of competitiveness and reducing inequality for the country’s future and security. He acknowledges that demographic issues require more than just birth promotion with benefits, emphasizing the need for quality education, healthcare, and housing. The implementation of plans and strategies is crucial, with competitiveness relying on business, science, education, and innovation performance. Inequality in social and regional development is a significant concern, and he urges decision-makers to consider the impact on individuals. The president in the inauguration addressed the youth, encouraging them to shape Latvia’s future and pledging to create an environment where they feel supported. He commits to making Latvia a true home for its citizens based on their contributions and ideas.
The new Latvian president emphasized working together for Latvia’s progress, drawing inspiration from the country’s potential and past achievements. He values open discussions and collaborative solutions to address issues and increase competitiveness while reducing inequality. The president’s vision bases on the people of Latvia, viewing them as the nation’s true wealth, regardless of their backgrounds. He highlights the significance of cultural heritage and unity, striving to make Latvia strong, modern, just, and safe. By fostering a sense of pride and love for the country, he believes the nation can flourish, ensuring a bright future for generations to come.
Public Reception
According to a surveying conducted by “Latvian Television”, the reception of President Edgars Rinkevics in rural areas of Latvia appears to be overwhelmingly positive, with citizens expressing hope and optimism about his presidency. Rural residents emphasize their expectations for the president to unite politicians and government officials, fostering a spirit of cooperation for the greater good of the nation. They also place great importance on President Rinkevics representing Latvia with honour on the international stage, believing that his global presence can positively impact the country’s reputation.
Additionally, citizens express region-specific needs, such as the improvement of rural education to prevent young people from leaving, especially in Latgale, and a desire for the president to consider the concerns of various parts of the country. The call for political reforms, including reducing the number of deputies and their salaries, underscores a desire for a more transparent and accountable government. The citizens’ optimism about President Rinkevics marks a new beginning for Latvia, with expectations that he will lead the nation towards progress while not forgetting the needs of the common man.
A total of 47.6% of the Latvian population positively evaluated his election as the President, while 39.9% of the population negatively evaluated it. The data was collected by “Latvian Television”, presented the program “What’s happening in Latvia?”. The survey by SKDS was conducted from June 7 to 11.
Furthermore, the new President is praised by local political scientists and former colleagues for his exceptional memory, diplomacy, and strategic vision. From his days as a student, he displayed erudition, genuine intelligence, and the ability to reach compromises. Working in the Ministry of Defence, he rose quickly to become the state secretary, lauded for optimal decision-making and crisis management. As Foreign Minister, his collegial and humble communication style, coupled with a commitment to engage with the public, earned further accolades. Rinkevics’ impressive career and qualities have garnered widespread admiration, making him a highly respected leader in Latvia.
First Month as President
On 10 July, the first notable event of the presidency, a meeting between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada and President of Latvia took place during Trudeau’s bilateral visit to Riga, Latvia. It underscored Canada’s commitment to strengthening defence ties with Latvia through NATO initiatives and demonstrates support for regional stability, including Swedish accession to NATO. Additionally, both leaders expressed their unwavering support for Ukraine during its challenging times. The commitment to maintain regular contact further emphasizes the intention to foster continued collaboration between Canada and Latvia.
Later in the day, the President made his first foreign visit to Estonia, meeting with top Estonian officials in Tallinn. During the visit, both countries emphasized their unity on important issues, such as progressing with the “Rail Baltica” railway project and the desynchronization of the electricity grid from the BRELL network by 2025. They also shared a common position on supporting Ukraine and increasing defence budgets within NATO. In a light-hearted manner, President Karis extended his best wishes to President Rinkevics for his new role, and the press conference concluded with a humorous reference to the unresolved question of whether the first Christmas tree was in Riga or Tallinn, indicating the longstanding friendly rivalry between the two Baltic neighbours. The visit showcased the strong bond between the Baltic neighbours and their commitment to mutual prosperity and security.
Latvia faces political uncertainty as Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins seeks to expand the coalition, shaking the government’s stability. President Edgars Rinkevics after a meeting on 14 July remains tight-lipped about his plans if clarity is not achieved by mid-August, crucial for drafting the budget. The President leaves it as a potential surprise. He trusts politicians to negotiate and find a suitable solution. The timing aligns with broader consultations, as Karins engages with coalition partners to overcome disagreements. Both leaders stress the importance of resolving the situation before budget work commences.
On 18 July the President expressed confusion over the punishment policy applied in certain cases, questioning the fine imposed on a Kremlin propagandist and a suspended sentence for attacking a man with a Ukrainian flag. He criticized the prosecutor’s office for not adequately explaining their decisions. As a result, the Council of Justice promised to review the punishment policy in corruption and national security cases. Rinkevics sought explanations from Prosecutor General Juris Stukans on the considerations used in determining punishments and suggested amendments to unify the policy. He emphasized the importance of the prosecutor’s office being transparent in sensitive cases affecting national security. Stukāns acknowledged the need for better communication and clarified that prosecutors have discretion in imposing punishments. The issue highlights the need for clear communication and potential reforms in the Latvian legal system to maintain public trust.
Conclusions
Latvian President Rinkevics focused on addressing inequality through quality education, healthcare, and housing, while encouraging collaborative solutions for Latvia’s progress. President Edgars Rinkevics has received overwhelmingly positive reception in rural areas of Latvia, with citizens expressing hope and optimism about his presidency. They expect him to unite politicians and officials for the greater good, while representing Latvia honourably on the international stage. A general survey showed that the larger part – 47.6% – of the population positively evaluated his election. In summary, President Edgars Rinkevics’ first tasks as president involved engaging in crucial diplomatic meetings with foreign leaders to strengthen Latvia’s ties with its allies, emphasizing mutual security and cooperation. Concurrently, he faced domestic challenges regarding political instability and questioned the transparency of the legal system, advocating for potential reforms to maintain public trust in the justice system. These early events showcased his dedication to advancing Latvia’s interests on both the international and domestic fronts. President Rinkevics is seen as a symbol of hope and change, capable of leading the country towards progress while addressing the concerns of the common people.
References
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- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs. (2023, July 10). Prime Minister of Canada. https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/readouts/2023/07/10/prime-minister-justin-trudeau-meets-president-latvia-edgars-rinkevics
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