PM responds to Usakovs’ criticisms

RIGA - If there is anyone dangerous to Latvia, it is Harmony Center, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) said, commenting Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs' (Harmony Center) controversial statements about Unity.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Dombrovskis said he viewed Usakovs' statements as pre-election demagoguery.

Explaining why Harmony Center could be perceived as a threat to Latvia, Dombrovskis reminded of Usakovs' open support for anti-state decisions regarding the state language referendum, and Harmony Center's acknowledgement that part of the Harmony Center members will participate in the possible referendum on automatic citizenship for all non-citizens.

As reported, Usakovs said in an article printed in the Russian-language newspapers "Chas" and "Vesti Segodna" on Tuesday that "Unity has become a threat to Latvia, to a normal existence of the country. Much more dangerous than the demonized oligarchs."

Usakovs is convinced that Unity, much like the People's Party, must become a thing of the past, "or else we will completely lose our country, because no country can exist without faith."