Foto: Jelgava City
On August 22 in Jelgava, at the 32nd congress of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG), its current leader Gints Kaminskis was elected as the chairman of the association for the next four years.
"The Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments is an important partner, which opinion is taken into account at the government and Saeima (Parliament) negotiating table. This is especially important at a time when discussions about next year's national budget are beginning, which is full of challenges. However, in this process, previously reached agreements will have to be fulfilled and the reduction in expenses that local governments have made in the last four years, while simultaneously fulfilling additional mandatory tasks set by the government, will have to be taken into account. Therefore, with constructive discussions and the ability to find a compromise, we will form a strong position of local governments and achieve the necessary result, because local governments are the driving force of Latvia's development. Our joint work, experience, mutual trust and determination are the basis for the country's stability and sustainability," emphasizes G. Kaminskis.
The congress also approved deputy chairmen - these duties will be fulfilled by the Chairman of the Valmiera Municipality Council Jānis Baiks and the Chairman of the Saldus Municipality Council Māris Zusts.
At the opening of the LALRG congress, the chairman of the Jelgava City Council, Mārtiņš Daģis, addressed the participants: “Latvian local governments must look not only to today, but to the future — to how we can together make our cities and municipalities stronger, fairer and friendlier to residents. We ourselves must be leaders in regional development, green energy restructuring, digital governance and citizen engagement. The congress is a place where opinions meet, where ideas are formed and solutions are created.”
The event was also welcomed by the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, the Chairman of the Saeima State Administration and Local Government Commission, Oļegs Burovs, as well as the Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry, Raimonds Čudars. The Minister emphasized that local governments are the foundation of our country and the cornerstone of people's trust. "We must create a future together also outside capital city - with new roads, jobs, kindergartens and a safe living environment. 742 million euros of investments are already strengthening the regions today, and almost 3,000 new jobs will give the younger generations the opportunity to stay in Latvia. We are also paying special attention to the Eastern border, investing almost 644 million for security and development. Our priority is people and national security, so let's work more efficiently, smarter and unitedly - because everything we do is for the benefit of our people and the future of Latvia,” said R. Čudars.
G.Kaminskis has been the Chairman of the LPS since August 2017, but the LPS has been operating for much longer. In parallel with fulfilling his duties as the mayor of Auce municipality (2001-2013), G. Kaminskis headed the LPS Regional Association, and from 2013 until his election as the LPS Chairman, he was the Deputy Chairman of the LPS.