Reform Without Reductions? The Minister Promised Not to Lay Off Employees 0 8

He emphasized that this is by no means about layoffs, but about systematic organization. "Public administration should be reduced, but the Ministry of Transport has work to do, so the best specialists in the industry are necessary," noted Švinka.

In response to the question of when a specific plan for the reorganization of the ministry might be ready, Švinka pointed out that his and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa's schedules are currently "tight and complicated," but this conversation is necessary.

At the same time, he emphasized that the industry is functioning and has already presented its reorganization plans, including the merger of the subsidiaries of the state-owned company "Latvijas dzelzceļš," the consolidation of the State Railway Technical Inspectorate and the State Railway Administration, the state-owned company "Latvijas jūras administrācija" has moved from two geographical locations to one, and "a lot is happening in the ministry."

Švinka noted that he will discuss with the Prime Minister how this reorganization might look and how quickly it can be advanced.

"I have my vision, but first I would like to discuss it," he said.

Commenting on specific proposals, Švinka stated that they include processes already initiated last year—optimization and efficiency improvement, and it is not only about merging institutions but also about reducing bureaucracy to work faster and more efficiently.

At the same time, Švinka reported that one of the proposals he will present to the Prime Minister is to manage state capital companies through a holding company, as ministries should form sectoral policy, while state companies have other functions that should be separated.

"My vision is gradual. After the establishment of the holding company, individual ministries could transfer one company under its management—this could be, for example, "Valsts nekustamie īpašumi" (VNĪ), the LLC "Publisko aktīvu pārvaldītājs 'Possessor'" ('Possessor'), JSC "Latvenergo" or the national airline of Latvia 'airBaltic'," Švinka noted.

According to him, if there is noticeable professional improvement in the management of these initial companies, it will be possible to talk about expansion; however, he added that this decision still needs to be discussed with the Prime Minister.

As reported, Siliņa proposed the reorganization of the Ministry of Transport. This proposal was made on April 16 of this year, when the Union of Greens and Farmers was reluctant to support the draft resolution of the Saeima to provide a short-term state loan of 30 million euros to the company 'airBaltic.'

Although on April 16 the Saeima supported the provision of the loan, Siliņa noted that Švinka would have to work to ensure the profitability of 'airBaltic.' Otherwise, he would have to take responsibility, the Prime Minister emphasized.

Siliņa also pointed out that the Ministry of Transport needs to be reorganized, as "many works have stalled" and are not moving forward. She expects the reorganization to take place soon.