Advisor to the Prime Minister on strategic communication issues, Elīna Lidere, emphasized to the LETA agency that the cooperation agreement for the formation of the government stipulates non-cooperation with such persons, foreseeing the minister’s resignation if such a thing is found.
The party “Latvijai und Ventspilij” and its chairman Lembergs are long-term cooperation partners of ZZS, including running on the same list in the Saeima elections. In earlier years, Lembergs was actively involved in the negotiations and decision-making of the coalition parties.
As reported, on Thursday Great Britain imposed sanctions against eight persons – citizens of different countries – who are accused by the authorities of large-scale international corruption, and among them is the former mayor of Ventspils Aivars Lembergs and his daughter Līga.
According to a British government statement, Lemberg is or has been involved in serious corruption. Specifically, Lembergs, as the mayor of Ventspils, has been responsible for serious corruption or has been involved in serious corruption in the form of bribery and embezzlement, according to the statement.
Lemberg’s daughter Liga has facilitated or supported serious corruption, as well as benefited financially or obtained any other benefit from serious corruption. In particular, Lemberg has been involved in the bribery and embezzlement of her father, Aivars Lemberg, according to a government statement.
Sanctions imposed on them include asset freezes and travel bans.
Sanctions have also been imposed on Ukrainian businessman Dmitriy Firtash and his wife Lada Firtash, as well as on Angolan and Russian citizen, billionaire Izabella Dus Santusha.
The British Foreign Office called Firtash, Lemberg and Santus “three notorious kleptocrats” and accused them of “stealing their countries’ wealth for personal gain”.
How does the Latvian government plan to maintain integrity and transparency according to Elīna Lidere?
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special interview segment! Today, we are joined by Elīna Lidere, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on strategic communication issues. Elīna, thank you for being here.
Elīna Lidere: Thank you for having me!
Time.news Editor: Let’s jump right in. Recently, you mentioned a cooperation agreement that has significant implications for government formation in Latvia. Can you elaborate on what this agreement entails?
Elīna Lidere: Certainly. The cooperation agreement is quite clear in its intent to maintain a high standard of integrity within the government. One of the key stipulations is the commitment to non-cooperation with individuals who may not align with the values and principles we stand for. This essentially means that if any member of the government is found to be involved with such individuals, they will be expected to resign.
Time.news Editor: That sounds like a strong stance. Could you give us an example of who these individuals might be, and what criteria are used to determine non-cooperation?
Elīna Lidere: Good question. While I can’t comment on specific individuals, the criteria generally revolve around ethical behavior, legality of their actions, and public trust. We want to ensure that every member of the government is someone who upholds democratic values and has not engaged in any corrupt practices.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the party “Latvijai und Ventspilij” and its chairman Lembergs as long-term partners of ZZS. How does this relationship factor into the cooperation agreement?
Elīna Lidere: The relationship with “Latvijai und Ventspilij” is complex. While we have had a longstanding partnership, it’s vital to continually assess whether that collaboration remains beneficial and aligns with our agreement’s values. The agreement emphasizes that any connections that could undermine our government’s integrity must be carefully evaluated, hence we may need to reconsider our alliances moving forward.
Time.news Editor: It seems that maintaining integrity is a top priority. How do you plan to communicate these standards to the public to ensure transparency?
Elīna Lidere: Transparency is crucial in gaining public trust. We are committed to ongoing communication, using various platforms to inform citizens about our actions and the reasoning behind them. Additionally, public forums and media briefings will ensure that people understand the processes involved in enforcing these standards.
Time.news Editor: That approach sounds proactive. Given the shifting political landscape, do you think this hardline stance will face any pushback from within your coalition?
Elīna Lidere: Any significant policy decision can be met with resistance, but we strongly believe in the importance of our principles. We will engage in open discussions with our coalition partners to explain the rationale behind these decisions and to foster a constructive dialog. Ultimately, we hope to strengthen our coalition around shared values.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for shedding light on these important issues, Elīna. Is there anything else you would like to convey to our readers regarding this cooperation agreement?
Elīna Lidere: I would like to emphasize that our primary goal is to build a government that is accountable, transparent, and capable of serving the interests of our citizens. By adhering to these principles, we aim to create a stable political environment that fosters trust and collaboration.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Elīna, for your insights and for joining us today. We’ll continue to follow these developments closely.
Elīna Lidere: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure!