I Don't Want to Work, but There's No Escape: The Government of Latvia is in a 'Suitcase Mood' 0 13

And this phrase, which has already become a catchphrase in political circles, accurately characterizes the current situation in the ruling coalition. Politicians from the three ruling political forces are not only tired of each other, but they are already struggling to tolerate one another.

At the Bottom

The discontent is fueled by ratings, which show that only the Progressive Party stands to gain, or rather not lose much, from this 'marriage of convenience.' It has its own stable and quite specific electorate for whom, for example, the Istanbul Convention is more important than fuel prices and even food prices.

Meanwhile, the popularity of New Unity and the Union of Greens and Farmers is rapidly declining. Moreover, the 'green farmers' are already on the brink of failing to pass into the Saeima, meaning they are just a little away from dropping below the 'passing' five percent according to the ratings. Here, whether they like it or not, something needs to be done, to go beyond the so-called coalition agreement, which is currently acting as a weight dragging them to the political bottom.

Terrarium of Like-Minded Individuals

A logical question arises: so why are the 'green farmers' still in this 'unnatural alliance,' risking heading to the political graveyard after October 3rd?

First of all, it should not be forgotten that the Union of Greens and Farmers is not a monolithic party, but a political union that includes three parties (the Farmers' Union, the Latvia and Ventspils Party, and the LSDRP), each with its own opinion.

The Farmers' Union itself is not very eager to lose power. Ministers from this party and the Speaker of the Saeima are in no hurry to part with their positions. Especially considering that the current opposition in the new government does not guarantee the 'green farmers,' for example, the post of prime minister.

Moreover, it is hardly advantageous for the 'green farmers' to lead the government right now. The situation in the country is such that correcting it in the remaining five months before the elections is practically impossible. It would be more beneficial to remain in this 'terrarium of like-minded individuals' and try to play the role of a 'political hooligan,' blocking when necessary with the opposition.

To Withdraw is Not to Leave

In fact, those who say that the Silin government has turned into a minority government are right. After a rebellion - albeit a failed one - over the issuance of a loan to the national airline, the 'green farmers' are preparing their next demarche.

Contrary to their past statements, the 'green farmers,' in order not to lag behind the opposition, have come up with an initiative... to withdraw funds from the second pension level. For now, the 'green farmers' are proposing a very soft version of 'withdrawal' - only for treatment in case of serious illness. Other partners have already stated that they do not intend to support this initiative.

When you read this issue of 'Today’s WEEK,' the 'green farmers' will surely be given, so to speak, a cold shoulder at the coalition council. What will the 'green farmers' do next? Quietly throw their bill in the trash? Hardly.

Rumor has it that they will try to push this bill through the Saeima - hoping for the votes of the rest of the opposition. It is generally surprising, but a fact: the 'Progressives,' who are supposed to be leftists, as they call themselves, should have come up with an initiative regarding the second pension level even earlier than the 'green farmers'!

What Kind of Ticket Price Reduction?!

However, the Minister of Transport from the Progressive Party did remember that he is allegedly a social democrat and came to the coalition with a proposal to reduce ticket prices for railway passenger transport as well as for regional bus trips.

Here, the Ministry of Finance, that is, de facto - New Unity, stood up in arms. The Ministry of Finance did not break tradition and standardly stated that 'there is no money, but hang in there.' It will be interesting to see what the 'Progressives' will do now? Will they simply 'forget' about their initiative or will they try to implement it by appropriating, that is, redistributing funds within the Ministry of Transport?

Anyone Can Offend Shvinka

Since the 'Progressives' did not support the 'green farmers' on the issue of the second pension level, the 'green farmers' will decide that now their hands are untied and they will demand even more loudly and harshly to reorganize the Ministry of Transport.

Let us remind you that this was one of the conditions for the 'green farmers' agreeing to provide a loan to aitBaltic. However, the Minister of Transport, Aitis Shvinka, has no intention of 'cutting' his ministry five months before the elections and thus angering the employees of this department, who theoretically could vote for the 'Progressives' in the elections - after all, it is the party of their boss.

Eye for an Eye

However, the 'Progressives' will not remain in debt either and will most likely start to speak out loudly against the project of the Ministry of Economics (led by the candidate for prime minister from the SZK, Viktor Valainis) regarding the sale of state shares in Tet/LMT after the merger.

Undoubtedly, the 'Progressives' together with New Unity will not support the project prepared by the 'green farmers' to reduce VAT on fuel.

In 'response,' the 'green farmers' will do everything to slow down the advancement of the pseudo-reform, the essence of which is to take away from the Consumer Rights Protection Center the functions of oversight over the non-bank sector and transfer it under the supervision of the Bank of Latvia. Besides losses and increased costs for consumers, this reform will yield nothing. But the 'Progressives,' nevertheless, are actively lobbying this reform in spite of the Minister of Economics.

It Can't Get Worse, Right?

All this is, of course, very interesting and even amusing, but only if viewed from another country. For those living in Latvia, there is nothing to laugh about - there are so many problems in the country that no matter where you look, there is a wedge everywhere. And as the elections approach, the government is becoming increasingly ineffective.

At the same time, it is hard not to agree with those political scientists who say that the ruling parties simply have nothing to present to voters. There is not a single good piece of news. Of course, one can simply scare the electorate with something like - 'If others come, it will be even worse,' but it is not a fact that the concept of 'the lesser evil,' which New Unity played four years ago, will work this time.