Lembergs to appeal Sprudzs’ decision in court

VENTSPILS - Aivars Lembergs (For Latvia and Ventspils) told LETA that he will turn to the courts to appeal the decision made by Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Edmunds Sprudzs (Reform Party) to suspend him as mayor of Ventspils.

According to the law, a city council chairman is given 30 days after the Cabinet minister orders suspension to file an appeal, and, as Lembergs said to LETA today upon being asked: "Is there any doubt?"

"Sprudzs' decree is positively illegal. It is an administrative act that cannot be politically motivated, it must be legally justified. This decree has no basis," the mayor declared.

Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Edmunds Sprudzs has signed the decree on suspending Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs.

According to the Law on Local Governments, a minister can suspend a mayor if he/she has violated the Constitution, the law, the Cabinet of Ministers' regulations or disobeyed a court order.

Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry representative Kristine Barsevska informed LETA that the decree has been sent to Lembergs and will be published in the government’s official newspaper "Latvijas Vestnesis."

As reported, last Friday, Sprudzs decided to dismiss Lembergs from his post.

As Sprudzs told reporters, he made the decision after reading Lembergs' explanation.

The minister said there is no point in delaying the issue, as the ministry has more important things to focus on. Furthermore, he said that the ministry has gathered strong legal argumentation against Lembergs, which is more than enough to dismiss him.