Former Minister Noted the Role of Communists in the Establishment of Independent Latvia 0 7

Sometimes there are accusations that a consistent lustration was not carried out at that time — too many former members of the Communist Party were allowed to participate in the governance of the state. Atis Slakteris has a clear answer to this.

He recounts that he did not join the party himself, but was invited.

"Along with me, my friend, the son of a legionnaire, and the son of an exiled person joined the party. The Communist Party was looking for the best, for leaders. And it was important that the majority of them joined the supporters of independence. It was necessary to engage all national resources. It was important that the Communist Party of Latvia split at that time and the majority sided with independence. Ultimately, the voter had the free opportunity to express their attitude towards each individual in politics. No one received as many votes as Anatoliy Gorbunov. And in general, the worst were not party members, not even Chekists, but 'informers'. Secret informants!"

Therefore, he is very skeptical of calls to become 'informers' today.

"Those who raise the issue of lustration today are often populists who have nothing to offer themselves, and therefore they seek enemies in the past."