Belevics criticizes Usakovs’ economic policy

  • 2013-02-21

RIGA - Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center) has been implementing commendable social policies, but his economic policy has been "very dumb," the Latvian Green Party's candidate for Riga mayor, Guntis Belevics, said in an interview with Latvian Radio this morning.

Belevics points out that Usakovs lacks foresight, as indicated by the mayor's failure to ensure building insulation and decision to treat the city's streets with salt in the winter.

Belevics is convinced that the Riga City Council could achieve much more not by taking funds away from anyone but by seeking new opportunities for savings. He believes that the municipality could save up by making more reasonable purchases. According to Belevics, the Riga City Council should not build social homes for 1,000lats (1,423 euros) per square meter.

After this year's municipal elections, the Latvian Green Party will choose its cooperation partners on the basis of two criteria - economic patriotism and sustainability, added Belevics.