“It’s like borrowing money from criminals!” Opposition deputies heatedly discussed the loan for airBaltic 0 10

By morning, after an extraordinary meeting of the coalition council, it became clear that the "green farmers" had changed their minds about collapsing the government and would vote in favor of providing a loan to airBaltic. Therefore, there was no intrigue regarding the voting outcome in the Saeima by the time this issue was considered at today’s plenary session. Nevertheless, the opposition decided to actively use the parliamentary podium to explain their unwillingness to support the loan decision. Opposition deputies commented harshly on how our national airline is managed and what the true state of affairs is in this airline. Almost all opposition deputies mentioned the bonds issued by airBaltic at astronomical interest rates - 14.5%! "It’s like borrowing money from criminals!" lamented Ramona Petraviča ("Latvia First"), noting that the current loan of 30 million will surely not be the last and that in the fall, the airline’s management will come again with outstretched hands, needing between 100 and 150 million. "This loan is like another dose for a drug addict. This loan solves nothing!" echoed her party mate Linda Liepiņa.

For her part, deputy Linda Matisone from the United List mentioned that the day before, she and her colleagues had asked for support for large families, which required only 90,000 euros. However, the government stated that there was no such money. "But 30 million for airBaltic was found overnight!" concluded the deputy.

Independent deputy Aleksandrs Kiršteins stated that "no one is interested in the situation at airBaltic anymore. These fairy tales that you can fly anywhere with its help cannot save it." The deputy reminded that it is enough to get to Stockholm and then one can fly to all countries, and airBaltic's competitors can offer lower ticket prices.

Deputy Edvards Smiltenš from the United List reacted to the Prime Minister's remark that our national airline belongs to the people of Latvia. According to the deputy, considering the airline's enormous debts, if it were sold, the people would not receive even 1 euro - they would have to pay more! At the same time, the deputy noted, everyone is making money except the people - leasing companies, ticket sales system holders, suppliers. Everyone is making money except the people. And the people only pay.

Opposition parliamentarians emphasized that they cannot support the loan issuance because the government constantly lies to them and does not provide all the information.