Dienas Bizness observer Janis Goldberg writes, citing the Latvian Confederation of Employers: "The government is moving the state budget schedule without agreement and without a plan to reduce expenses."
"All the long speeches last year about the need to tighten the belt, so to speak, have been thrown to the cat's tail. The reduction of bureaucracy is going the same way."
"The worst thing is that at this moment, while creating the budget framework for 2027, further consultations with social partners are not taking place, just as they did not occur last year."
"A third of those employed receive a salary from the state or local government, – writes the business weekly, – and they are voters. To get up in the morning and say that they might not have jobs, at least partially (who knows which part) – is a big risk. And it is precisely for this reason that there were no changes in the 2026 budget and none are being prepared for the 2027 budget.
In the general interests of the 'New Unity' party, it is better to do nothing until autumn, so as not to unnecessarily disturb the minds of their loyal voters. After all, there will be international creditors who will lend another 2 billion euros next year for some time."
