Karins awaits report from new regional development minister on proposal to dismiss Riga City Council

RIGA - Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) expects a report from the new Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Juris Puce (For Development/For) regarding to the proposal made to dismiss the Riga City Council.

Karins' office told LETA that Puce is currently preparing such a report, which will be thoroughly reviewed once it has been presented and discussed with cooperation partners.

Puce has entrusted the preparation of the report with ministry specialists, but it is not yet known when it could be concluded.

He emphasized that there must be a legal basis to dissolve the Riga City Council. ''This bill must be in accordance to law, and we cannot allow any exceptions,'' Karins said.

As reported, former Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Gerhards (National Alliance) has submitted to the government a bill to dissolve the Riga City Council.

The bill has been based on a number of violations in the work of the local government, including in supervision of its companies. The Environment Protection and Regional Development Ministry has assessed the responsibility of the Riga City Council in the criminal case on Rigas Satiksme municipal transport company and also other violations, inaccuracies and inactivity in the work of the local government.