RIGA - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers would like to position himself halfway between a Scandinavian-style 'everyman' president and the pomp and ceremony of a purely figurehead position.
In a lengthy interview with Rigas Laiks magazine, Zatlers remarked that he is not the sort of man to want a "bicycle ride to work, as it is dangerous in the streets of Riga," as well as presenting problems to his security escort who would presumably also be forced to fish out their bicycle clips.
"I draw attention to myself if I am surrounded by an escort as much as by riding on a bicycle. The essence is the same -- I attract attention. I would like to be somewhere in the middle," said Zatlers.
He also commented on a recent incident in which police who form part of his escort reportedly shouted at a pedestrian to get out of the way of the presidential motorcade in abrupt terms. "When I am… with the police, I will definitely use the word 'please'," Zatlers promised.
"Every morning shortly before nine, when an escort with sirens takes me from my home to the castle, the ride causes much noise and interferes with people in the streets. You see - today there is no escort, we came silently by car to meet you, then I will go to the supermarket and buy some food as other people do," said Zatlers.
After his first working week in Riga Castle, Zatlers quickly realised that maintaining normal contacts with people would prove problematic.
"[My] style will be aimed at preserving contact as much as possible and in as natural environment as possible. With time, I hope, people will feel encouraged to talk to the president and say something to him in a short conversation. It is vitally important to me to listen to [ordinary] people," Zatlers said.
Speaking about his reasons for applying for the presidency, Zatlers revealed: "People whom I know made the offer and I understood that they were not joking."
"Of course a couple of hours pass before you start speaking about it seriously, you have to agree to the conversation itself - that, yes, I could, potentially be [president]. And then, when you get used to the idea [you must consider that] experience shows it puts a strain on your whole family. It is total destruction of the daily rhythm of the family and its traditions. If the family is not ready, you have to say no. I had to be ready for that," he mused.
Zatlers also used the interview to reassert his political independence, pointing out that even though he signed a manifesto supporting the establishment of the People's Party, he has never been an actual member.
"And when I was asked, I said, yes, I will sign - I want a new [political] force. I was filmed in a video clip… but I had no nption of joining any party," said Zatlers, adding that he also avoided joining the Communist Party during the Soviet era.
