Existence of self governments by definition means diversity. It is not only diversity of believes and opinions, it is also the diversity of interests. Any two governments can have interests that are overlapping only partially. In addition to differences of deputy views in political, economical, social, and even moral questions, local governments have to compete for resources. If one government gets funds, then the opportunity for others decreases. In order to reach the unity, the detailed analysis of dominant differences is needed. In the most of Western Democratic Countries, the internal competition of associations is because of the rivalry of political parties. Internal influence of those associations is based on a victory in the elections. It can be said, that the behavior of politicians in governments is based on interests of the represented party.

 

The dominance of political parties develops if only political parties can file the lists of candidates for the elections. But even in such case, a lot depends on how homogeneous are conditions in particular administrative division, and what is the form of the government. It might be, that belonging to the particular administrative division or the form of government becomes more important than belonging to the political party.

 

Between years 1994 and 2005, at the elections of local and regional governments in Latvia, deputies were elected not for belonging to the political party, but for belonging to the list filed by the community. These lists were more productive. They meant more activities for the locals. Meanwhile, these lists were not as stable as those of political parties. While the system was still in progress, in small and medium governments such lists were more popular than lists of the parties.

 

But Saeima (the Parliament) gradually implemented restrictions of election lists. It was met by a counter reaction – regional parties were founded. Regional parties do not participate in National or European Parliament elections; but with good results, they participate in elections of city municipalities and in largest administrative territories (with more than 5000 residents). This shows that in regions of Latvia people do not trust “Parties from Riga”. It also shows that there is no positive politics in regions. Parties that are represented in Saeima have not showed real interest about the development of regions.

 

Another reason for different interests is belonging to specific type of local government. During the reform of administrative territorial division maximum of five different governments evolved:

 

Although these five municipalities feature only two legal entities – local (rural, town, county) government and regional government – they have different opportunities to receive investments from the state and EU funds. Also, cities that represent both legal entities have different opportunities. Small local governments were discriminated, and it was based on the belief (from scientific view – absurd belief) in privileges of big structures and big organizations.

 

After elections of 2009, according to the law about administrative territories and settlements, there are only novadi and state cities with local governments. There are no functional differences described in the law. In addition to mandatory functions declared in the law, it is possible for novadi and cities to have voluntary initiatives (if they are not against the law or if there are no complicated requirements). According to the law, the draft of aprinķi (administrative division) should be filed by the June1, 2009.

 

All of this has led to competition for resources – competition amid political parties and competition amid government groups that now have different obstacles. It all leads to quarrels amid local and regional governments. It was already clear at the Foundation Congress that the main goal of the LALRG would be to reach common opinion. Therefore, from the very beginning, the opinion in the LALRG was that differences have to be respected. It does not mean that all local and regional governments should be the same; it means that differences have to be respected. Furthermore, other opinions have to be respected, and everyone should have a right to the own opinion.

 

The LALRG should not act as Karlis Ulmanis once did by contributing into assimilation of Līvi and fighting against the language of Latgale. The LALRG is obliged to promote awareness of the diversity, and to respect expressions of diversities. Each local and regional government can participate in the work of the LALRG as much as they consider appropriate. It is already written in the first statutes of LALRG of 1992: “Members of the LALRG may be founding associations and funds to fulfill their own specific interests.” LALRG has never been an obstacle for members to participate in any other organization. Participation in different organizations heLALRG to understand variety of interests, and to try to find better compromises.

 

Since the Alliance of Latvian Towns has a much longer history, cities were not willing to be part of the LALRG at the beginning. Year after foundation of the LALRG, during the 2^nd Congress, only 16 cities were members of the LALRG. For some time, the whole Alliance of Latvian Towns was the member of the LALRG. Only after some time, when the LALRG had proven that it has reached some real goals concerning common interest, cities started to join the LALRG. At the end, different form of participation was reached – cities joined the LALRG and kept their Alliance as well. Step by step, the Alliance became a forum for specific interests of the cities; meanwhile; it found compromises with other government groups. It is important that each government group has a common interest in mind, meanwhile adding their own value.

 

Each of the government groups had made forums to achieve a common decision – Association of Rural Municipalities, Association of Major Cities, Association of Amalgamated Municipalities (novadi). Before the Reform novadi were developing voluntary, and they had their own meetings. Because of these formal and informal forums for each type of government, role of the LALRG as common ground keeper has not decreased, but increased.

 

The incorporation of local governments is also declared (as the norm) in the Law “About local governments”, which states that rights to negotiate common interests of local governments with the Cabinet of Ministers has the organization (in 1994 – public organization, now – association) that has members from more than a half of different local governments. Therefore, if any type of local government would not be represented enough, formal annual negotiations would not happen. The State Administration would have the opportunity to split local governments, and to oppose different groups against each other.

 

Latvian practice proves that the opportunity to express common position has big advantages on both sides. Each year local governments benefits from it. Also, long-term interests benefit from it.