Latvia May Find Itself in a Turbulent Zone - Expert 0 84

Janis Gavars, once a popular journalist and one of the faces of Atmoda, whom opponents of independence referred to as one of the "state leaders," as well as a deputy who voted for independence, is currently actively monitoring international politics and believes that it does not bode well for us.

International Instability and Unknown Risks

In the series of discussions "Latvia 2035," analyzing the current situation in the world, Gavars does not hide his concerns about the future and points out that we are heading towards serious upheavals. Characterizing his feelings regarding the safety of grandchildren in today's context, he acknowledges: "Everything indicates that a major crisis is approaching us." He admits that peace in our region may also be disrupted: "I would not be surprised if Russia carries out some provocations here — they may not be large-scale, but they could be unpleasant."

Evaluating the historical experience with the army of the neighboring state, Gavars recalls how unpredictable the situation was in the early nineties when dangerous legacies still remained on Latvian territory. He emphasizes that at that time Latvia was effectively a nuclear state: "Nuclear missiles were located in Priekule and Jekabpils." Although this weaponry was quickly removed, the tension was enormous, as local specialists had no access to these technologies — all personnel were sent from Russia. Western countries at that time reasonably feared that as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union, this nuclear weaponry could simply "scatter."

Economic Burden and Political Unpredictability

Assessing the influence of global players, Gavars pays special attention to U.S. policy. Speaking about Donald Trump, he emphasizes the lack of trust: "There is no real trust in him. At first, I tried to follow every word he said, thinking about what would happen next, but I quickly realized that it was not worth taking it to heart. He can say one thing and then an hour later claim something completely opposite."

This global instability will directly affect the wallets of the residents of Latvia. Gavars predicts that economic pressure will only increase: "I don’t know how all this will end, but in any case, we must reckon with the fact that we will all have to pay more for fuel and food."

Mistakes in Governance and Vision for the Future

Despite the grim forecasts, Gavars maintains hope for the resourcefulness of the residents of Latvia, but critically assesses the current model of governance. He points out that the country lacks experienced leaders, and bureaucracy has become a burden. "It is abnormal that the population is decreasing while the number of officials is increasing." In his opinion, ministerial offices lack people with life experience and "wise heads," as is customary in the West.

Speaking about the period leading up to 2035, Gavars emphasizes that the state needs a clear vision and new incentives for the younger generation to want to stay here. "I would like this state to be beautiful, flourishing, and free — both in our thoughts and in our actions." He suggests creating real retraining programs for those affected by bureaucratic reductions. "They do not need to go in search of happiness abroad. Instead, the state should offer the opportunity to learn a new profession within a year and receive decent pay here in Latvia."