Jurmala Mayor Truksnis ousted

RIGA- The Mayor of Jurmala Gatis Truksnis (Union of Greens and Farmers) was ousted from his position by a vote of no confidence today.

Eight Jurmala City Council members voted for ousting Truksnis, while four abstained.

Thus, during the six-minute long emergency city council meeting today, Truksnis was officially released as the city's mayor. Deputy Mayor Larisa Loskutova has become interim mayor.

Truksnis explains the negative vote against him due to the fragmentation of the city council, as well as the ease in which city council members are influenced. The now-ex mayor believes that he will better be able to implement his vision of the city's future development after June's local government elections. He promised to continue work as a city council member to pursue the initiatives he has started for the good of Jurmala residents.

After today's meeting, Truksnis told members of the press that the current city council is “finely divided,” thus each city council member is easily influenced. ''I predict that the Jurmala City Council will not be as fragmented in the future,” Truksnis said.

One of those who voted for removal, City Council Member Juris Visockis (Unity), answering a question whether another mayor candidate will be nominated, answered: “If you look at those who voted for Truksnis' ouster, we see many different interests. Taking this into account, I believe we will sit down and discuss potential candidates and possibly come to some sort of compromise. We might even have a new mayor tomorrow.”

At the same time, Visockis noted that there are only two months left until the local government elections, and that he has doubts whether anyone from the city council would like to assume the office of mayor so close to elections.

As reported, eight city council members in Jurmala signed and submitted a motion of “no confidence” against Truksnis last month.

Corrupt and unethical conduct is what upsets the eight, as allegedly Truksnis has been using taxpayers' money for his (re)election or self-promotion campaign.

The eight are Maris Dzenitis, Aigars Tampe, Ilmars Ancans, Arnis Abelite, Zigurds Starks, Juris Visockis, Dzintra Hirsa and Iveta Blaua.

Elected in Jurmala from now defunct Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way, Truksnis announced last month that he will be joining the Green Party, and top the Greens/Farmers Union ticket in the coming election.