Latvija in brief - 2012-05-17

Parex Bank (now Reverta) Board Chairman Christopher Gwilliam and Citadele Board Chairman Juris Jekabsons were paid the highest salaries among all state officials last year; the traditional leaders, however, are airBaltic CEO Martin Gauss and Freeport of Riga head Leonids Loginovs, reports LETA. The highest-paid state officials last year included President Andris Berzins, Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs and Latvijas Dzelzcels head Ugis Magonis, the magazine Ir reported. Gwilliam’s salary amounted to 13,367 lats (19,000 euros) a month last year, 17 percent more than in 2010. Jekabsons’ salary increased 26 percent to 7,918 lats a month. Parex board member Solvita Deglava is also ranked among the highest-paid state officials. Her monthly salary was 7,000 lats. Citadele board member Kaspars Cikmacs was paid 6,503 lats a month. AirBaltic CEO’s salary remained unchanged and Gauss was paid 19,500 lats each month last year, ranking first on the magazine’s list. Lattelecom Board Chairman Juris Gulbis ranked second with 16,536 lats a month. Loginovs’ salary amounted to 13,780 lats a month. The magazine also offers a comparison of average monthly salaries of Latvia’s highest-ranking officials. President Andris Berzins’ salary was 2,208 lats; Saeima Speaker Solvita Aboltina’s (Unity) - 2,288 lats; Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis’ (Unity) 2,088 lats; Auditor General Inguna Sudraba’s 2,014 lats.

This spring, residents are more optimistic in their assessment of Latvia’s economic situation and its development, reports Nozare.lv. However, their assessment of personal finances slightly decreased, according to the latest DNB Latvijas barometrs survey. Compared to February, the assessment of nearly all important indices improved, including the government’s performance and the chances of finding a good job, informed DNB Bank representative Teika Lapsa. Meanwhile, the number of sceptical residents slightly increased. The second part dealt with the public opinion on Latvia’s labor market. Seventy to 80 percent complain that it is nearly impossible to find a good job in Latvia. DNB Latvijas barometrs is carried out on a monthly basis. The study is made up of two parts - one that is constant and featured in every study, and the other that deals with the latest developments in Latvia.

In an interview with Rietumu Radio on May 10, European Parliament Member Inese Vaidere (Unity) said that it will not be as easy for Russian President Vladimir Putin to rule as before, and he must take into account that the European Union’s patience on human rights violations in Russia will run out sometime, reports LETA. “Tightening the screws will not take place as peacefully in Russia as his first period in control of the country,” the European Parliament member said. Speaking about the EU’s possible reaction towards the ongoing human rights violations in Russia, Vaidere said: “I do not believe the EU will continue to look on as human rights in Russia are stomped on. Russia will have to change if its wishes to remain a strategic partner of the EU.” Speaking about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia, Vaidere said that “Russians, who live in Latvia, live in a paradise. Where else do they have the opportunity to live in a democratic EU country, where they can speak their own language. These are great privileges.”