Rēzekne, Latvia — February 10, 2024 — Aleksandrs Bartaševičs, Chairman of the Rēzekne City Council, has been suspended from his position for the second time, according to an order issued by Raimonds Čudars, Latvia’s Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development.
A Latvian Mayor’s Troubles Deepen Over Security Clearance
The latest suspension stems from Bartaševičs’ continued performance of mayoral duties despite being denied access to state secrets.
- Minister Čudars initially demanded Bartaševičs’ resignation on February 2nd.
- The security service has refused to grant Bartaševičs clearance to view classified information.
- Bartaševičs intends to appeal the security service’s decision to the Prosecutor General.
- Jānis Tutins, a fellow party member, will temporarily assume the role of mayor.
What happens when a mayor can’t access state secrets? The situation in Rēzekne highlights the complexities of local governance and national security protocols, raising questions about the necessary clearances for effective leadership.
The initial request for Bartaševičs’ resignation came on February 2nd, following the denial of access to state secrets. Despite this setback, Bartaševičs continued to fulfill his responsibilities as chairman of the council, prompting Minister Čudars to request a formal explanation.
In a written response delivered on February 9th, Bartaševičs argued that the suspension must be proportionate and that existing regulations do not mandate security clearance for the position of mayor. He asserted the independence of local governments, stating, “Local governments operate independently, and the Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development may intervene in the work of local governments, including suspending the chair of the council, only in cases of significant violations of external regulatory acts. The dismissal must comply with the principle of proportionality and must not be politically motivated.”
Bartaševičs also indicated his intention to appeal the decision by the security service to the Prosecutor General, a course of action permitted by law within 14 days of notification. He is expected to file that appeal this week.
Effective February 10th, Jānis Tutins, a member of Bartaševičs’ party, will assume the duties of mayor. Bartaševičs will remain a deputy and will lead the City Development, Infrastructure and Public Order Committee. He will relinquish his previous role as chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, as that position is legally required to be held by the mayor.
Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the implications of this situation in the comments below.
