The President Ordered — Nothing Has Been Done. Pietiek is Confused: Who is in Charge in Latvia? 0 27

President Rinkevics then pointed out that in the process of optimization, it is necessary to evaluate not only the officials of the ministries but also the subordinate institutions and local governments. He emphasized: it is important not only to 'linearly reduce' staff but also to assess the feasibility of functions and reduce bureaucracy...

Three months have passed. Three months during which the political elite may have enjoyed the summer, while the economy is still waiting for a signal for 'reforms'. The president ordered — nothing has been done. Pietiek is confused: who is in charge in Latvia?

"July 2, 2025. After a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina, President Edgars Rinkevics reassured the public with strict promises. He emphasized that in order to save budget funds, it is necessary to urgently make a decision to reduce the number of officials in the state administration," writes Vilors Eichmanis on the Pietiek.com portal.

And what is the result? Absolutely nothing has changed.

Bureaucracy has not been reduced by a single function, local authorities still 'do not recognize' the state's demands for cuts, and the number of civil servants remains at an unchanging high level. It seems that the state apparatus has calmly perceived the president's public promise as an empty phrase.

The president is not the head of government, but his moral authority and public position on issues of state administration efficiency are crucial.

But how should one understand this three-month inaction after such a high-profile statement? Or will the president eventually say: 'What, did I really say that?' Or perhaps the president has encountered an impenetrable system that is too difficult to influence even for him, the highest official of the state?

Then this indicates not only the weakness of the Cabinet of Ministers but also the illness of the entire system.