President urges Latvian citizens to vote in municipal elections

RIGA - President Edgars Rinkevics hopes that the majority of Latvian citizens will participate in local elections, having first assessed the lists of political forces and chosen a suitable candidate, so that the country has strong city and regional councils.

On Wednesday, at his residence in Jurmala, after a meeting with Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity), the President stressed that people do not like to be told what to do or what not to do. He continued that everyone is an adult and people will decide according to their feelings whether to participate in the elections, who to vote for according to the offer that the voter wants to see implemented in their city or region.

Rinkevics will vote in Jurmala, where he is declared. The President believes that if he participates in the elections, assessing the parties' proposals on how to make Jurmala an even stronger resort town, understanding what the problems are, then he has the right to demand responsibility from the Jurmala City Council and city council members.

"If I do not take part in the elections, it would not be really fair to address the council members and the municipal management and point out what has or has not been done. This is my opportunity, because by voting I can demand concrete results," said the President.

Rinkevics admitted that he had something to think about, something to evaluate, because the offer "is interesting". The President is convinced that there is definitely someone to vote for in every municipality and city, even if sometimes the lists seem less than ideal: if there is a candidate that the voter does not want to see, it is possible to mark it on the ballot papers by coloring the oval red, or to give special support by coloring the oval green.

The municipal elections will take place this Saturday, but people can also cast their vote in advance voting times throughout the week.