Increasingly likely that Karins may have to step down over private flights he took while serving as prime minister

RIGA - It appears increasingly likely that Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) will have to step down over the private flights he took while serving as Latvia's prime minister, as several politicians told LETA off the record.

However, if Karins indeed leaves his post, it is yet unknown when exactly this could happen.

Much depends on Prime Minister Evika Silina's (New Unity) meeting with Karins scheduled for Thursday, March 28, where the current situation could be discussed.

Several members of Unity political party's board who spoke to LETA are relying on Silina's vision of Karins' future activities as the foreign minister.

As reported, the Prosecutor General's Office has opened and handed over to the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) for investigation the use of contract flights by former Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) for working trips during his time in office.

According to public information, the General Prosecutor's Office carried out an investigation into the use of contract air travel services during the former PM's working trips.

The Prosecutor General's Office does not dispute that in the course of the performance of the duties of senior state officials, situations may arise when it is necessary to use the services of a contracted air transport for the purpose of securing a working trip.

LETA also reported, the special air trips made by the delegations led by Karins during his office as the prime minister, which have attracted criticism from a part of the public, cost EUR 613,830 from the state budget between 2021 and September 2023, according to the information gathered by the State Chancellery.