Riga's Vice Mayor Vilnis Kiršsis (JV) explains that the actual demographic situation and its trends are a reality that must be taken into account. Over the past seven years, the number of declared children in Riga has decreased by almost 40%. There are still areas in the capital where the demand for kindergartens remains high, but there are also those where kindergartens are half empty.
On this topic, the host of the program "Krustpunktā", Aidis Tomsons, publicly expressed his opinion.
"It will be hard to come to terms with the sad consequences of demographics. In recent days, emotions have been running high in many municipalities regarding the closure and reorganization of kindergartens and schools. It is clear that we want many small schools with well-paid qualified teachers. I read about the rapidly growing desire to withdraw funds from the second pension level and can already imagine how later we will draw tables showing that we have the lowest pensions in Europe, because those unborn children, who are no longer here (and for whom schools are closing), will not be able to provide us with even somewhat decent pensions.
I don’t want any newcomers who could fill the increasingly empty school desks and the shrinking lines of social contributions. I want Latvia for Latvians. And I truly say this from the bottom of my heart.
Oh, how I wish to be a small child again, who does not understand that tears alone will not bring about what is desired, because everything is interconnected. And I envy many commentators on Facebook who manage not to notice this."
