Interior Minister Golubeva steps down

  • 2022-05-16
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Latvian Interior Minister Marija Golubeva (For Development/For) has decided to resign, the minister told the press today.

The politician learned today that before even the Interior Ministry's analytical report on the work of the services on May 9-10 was ready, the prime minister has decided to yield with the National Alliance's pressure and is not ready to support her. 

She said that in order that national security should not be threatened by an unstable government,  Golubeva has decided to return to the parliament as a lawmaker.

She said that negotiations on further work of the coalition are ongoing, but she does not think that For Development/For will demand a resignation of one of the National Alliance's minister "in revenge".

The minister said that For Development/For will discuss further cooperation with the National Alliance and other coalition partners and the prime minister. 

"Of course, there will not be unconditional support, but it does not mean that at the moment when Latvia truly needs a stable government we are ready to destabilize it. We have to find a way to work despite this uncollegial step by the National Alliance and the prime minister," Golubeva said.

The minister believes that prime minister's yielding with the ultimatums is ungrounded and unnecessary and contradicts national security interests. "What signals about Latvia's resilience are we sending our allies and enemies if 300 marginals with two hours by the occupation monument are able to shake Latvia's government? It is the responsibility of the prime minister. We asked the prime minister to get acquainted with the Interior Ministry's report and only then make conclusions," she said.

Golubeva did not name any possible successors in the position of the interior minister. She said that even though the prime minister does not support her, it does not mean that For Development/For can no longer head the ministry. "This is not the time when the government should be left in response to an unfair decision, therefore I think that cooperation will continue, but my colleagues will discuss the terms of this cooperation," the minister said.

At the times when there is increased external threat for the Baltic region and Latvia, a stable and experienced government is critical, and shaking or the government is irresponsible, said Golubeva.

The minister explained that the interior services are able to react to new challenges. The number of people who went to the occupation monument on May 9-10 has declined by 90 percent compared to the numbers before the pandemic.

The interior sector has analyzed the mistakes in tackling the situation, drawn conclusions, suspended five officials who were directly responsible for misinterpreting the orders. 

As reported, National Alliance's Saeima group and board have demanded that Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins fire Interior Minister Marija Golubeva following the events at the monument to Soviet soldiers in Riga's Pardaugava on May 9 and 10.

If Karins and coalition partners do not take into account the National Alliance's opinion, the party said it would quit the ruling coalition and recall its ministers from the government, the National Alliance said in a statement.