Given the low air temperature this winter and the fact that heating costs for households will significantly increase, Minister of Economics Viktor Vālītis called on January 23 for the "immediate convening of an extraordinary meeting of the State Center for the Energy Crisis to find effective solutions to support the population," writes Diena.
Yesterday, at a meeting with representatives of the press, the minister slightly changed his rhetoric, focusing on housing benefits as the most suitable form of support. The Riga City Council is actively seeking solutions, although contradictions are noticeable in its statements, while Prime Minister Evika Siliņa stated to journalists yesterday that there is no energy crisis in the country. She also reported that Vālītis invited the Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melņis and the Ministry of Welfare to discuss this issue together so that local governments are prepared in case of a sharp increase in heating bills.
The Prime Minister reminded that housing benefits have been increased and the readiness of local governments to provide assistance needs to be assessed. Siliņa expects that Vālītis and Melņis will offer the government real solutions; Vālītis reported that there have been four official meetings between the ministries and the Latvian Association of Local Governments in various formats, and local governments are paying increased attention to this issue. By the end of this week, many of them will submit information about the situation in their area, and based on the data received, it is planned to start preparing draft solutions. The most realistic solution is housing assistance from local governments, but with the involvement of the state.
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