Zatlers urges action

RIGA - President Valdis Zatlers has expressed the opinion that he is pleased with Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis’ (Unity) performance so far, reports news agency LETA. Zatlers emphasizes in an interview with the daily Diena that Dombrovskis has lead the country for two years, more than many other prime ministers, and has done so during a severe economic crisis. “The prime minister must proceed with his work,” said Zatlers.
Zatlers is convinced that Latvia has exited the worst part of the economic crisis and must now return to economic growth. The first step towards this is a balanced budget. “Dombrovskis has taken up this job, and so far he has been good at it,” said the president. He declined, however, to comment on the ruling coalition ministers’ achievements and pointed out that it is the prime minister’s job to assess ministers.

Not all criticism was muzzled. The president believes that the current government could be “more professional.” He emphasized that if amendments are endorsed, which envisage that the prime minister must inform the president about a new government before its approval in the Saeima, the government will become more professional.
President Zatlers also commented that he is surprised that Latvia still does not have energy and demography policies. The government has promised to draft a national energy policy by September, however, it should have already been done a long time ago, he notes.

The president emphasized that Prime Minister Dombrovskis, during the first Cabinet’s sessions, defined the government’s main priorities as energy policy, demography and unemployment. Zatlers believes, though, that the government must come up with a policy, not just priorities, not only for the energy sector but also for demography and unemployment.
At the moment the level of unemployment remains unchanged, at a very high level. Zalters, however, would like to see a downward trend already in April or May. Zatlers believes that if the government does not begin to tackle the demographic problems in Latvia urgently, “the economy or the state will never prosper.”

The government must encourage families to have two or more children. “If we do not want to harm our [children’s future], we must have two or even three children per family. These children will live in a society where they will have to sustain two parents,” believes Zatlers.

It is necessary to approach the demographic issue from various angles. It is the politicians’ task to ensure that society is proud of families with multiple children. “We must also stop scaring the people with the current situation, since it will only cause more of them to leave the country,” the president pointed out.

“The economic factors are significant, but a vision of the future is also important. We must create a positive environment for people in our cities, towns and the countryside,” said Zatlers.