"We will continue the audit of Rail Baltica, and it will be conducted jointly with colleagues from the State Audit Office of Lithuania and Estonia," said State Auditor Edgars Korčagins in an interview with "nra.lv TV," as reported by Vilors Eichmanis on Pietiek.com.
The Rail Baltica project, which has been fueled for years by beautiful visualizations and political promises, has finally faced harsh reality. Korčagins' statement about a joint audit with Lithuanian and Estonian colleagues is not just another audit; it is political and economic "heavy artillery" aimed at the very chaotic center of the project.
When "Euro-repair" Turns into Ruins: The Scale of the Audit
Until now, each Baltic country has tried to patch the "holes" in Rail Baltica on its own, secretly hoping that things are going even worse for their neighbors. But this project is a single organism. If auditors from Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius sit down at the same table, it means one thing: the credit of trust is exhausted. The audit will no longer be looking for minor shortcomings—it will reveal a systemic paralysis that could threaten the economic stability of the entire region.
Key Questions: Who Signed the Uncovered Check?
The billion-euro mystery: how did a dream costing €5.8 billion turn into a bill for €25 billion? The audit will need to determine whether this is due only to inflation or the result of gross incompetence and the "golden bolts effect" in planning.
"The exception" of Riga—strategic betrayal? News that the European railway may bypass the capital of Latvia has sparked explosive discontent. Auditors will assess whether the station in Riga, without a direct connection to the main line, has become the most expensive "monument" to indecision.
Management "Babylon": the joint venture RB Rail often resembles a ship with three captains. How much is this inability to reach an agreement and double bureaucracy costing taxpayers?
Three "Icebergs": What Are They Trying to Hide from Us?
Military factor: in the shadow of the war in Ukraine, this is no longer just a passenger railway. The audit will evaluate whether the bridges and tracks being built can withstand heavy NATO equipment or if we are building a "light train" at the price of a "heavy tank."
Financial domino effect: if Latvia falls behind, the European Commission may "cut off the oxygen" to the entire region. The audit will show who is the weak link today.
Cost of maintenance: no politician openly states how many tens of millions of euros per year the line will require after launch. Auditors will finally name this amount, showing the real profitability of the project.
What Happens If the Audit Reveals Serious Violations?
Political responsibility: resignations of ministers and the establishment of parliamentary investigative committees.
Legal consequences: possible criminal cases for misappropriation of funds or exceeding authority.
Financial blow: redistribution of EU funds in favor of other projects and increased burden on the Latvian state budget.
Project "surgery": suspension of certain construction sections for a complete overhaul of priorities.
Society's Demands
We are no longer at the stage where excuses of "we are doing everything possible" are sufficient. Society demands:
Personal accountability—specific names of those who led the project into a dead end.
Transparency—every euro cent must be traced.
Clarity—can we even afford to complete this project and what price will future generations pay for it?
Conclusion: The Time for Promises Is Ending, the Time for Truth Is Beginning
The audit announced by Korčagins for the three countries is the last chance for Rail Baltica to cleanse itself. This is no longer just a story about a train that will connect us to Europe. It is a question of whether the country can cope with large-scale challenges without the shadow of corruption and management disaster.
The truth will be expensive. But the lie will cost even more.
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