Riga has lost status of largest Baltic city - opposition councilor

RIGA - Riga has lost its status of the largest city in the Baltics, opposition councilor Inna Djeri (Russian Union of Latvia) said during a debate on the city's budget. 

This change of status, in her opinion, is affecting investors' attitude to Riga, which is losing its positions to Vilnius and Tallinn. Riga Region has sort of taken over the status of metropolis, but this argument does not really work with investors, Djeri said. 

The opposition councilor cited public opinion polls according to which five years ago 70 percent of the city's residents were satisfied with the local government's job performance, but in 2022 the share of satisfied residents had dropped to 40 percent. "Residents are voting with their legs," Djeri said, noting that some portion of income tax revenue should be reallocated to those municipalities where people work. 

As for the condition of roads and streets, Riga is losing not only to Jurmala, but also other capital cities. Riga's streets are in terrible condition, Djeri said. Improvement of the streets' condition has been declared a priority, but the funding allocated for this purpose is not sufficient. 

Members of Riga City Council are today debating amendments to the city's 2023 budget. RIGA, March 22 (LETA) - Riga has lost its status of the largest city in the Baltics, opposition councilor Inna Djeri (Russian Union of Latvia) said during a debate on the city's budget. 

This change of status, in her opinion, is affecting investors' attitude to Riga, which is losing its positions to Vilnius and Tallinn. Riga Region has sort of taken over the status of metropolis, but this argument does not really work with investors, Djeri said. 

The opposition councilor cited public opinion polls according to which five years ago 70 percent of the city's residents were satisfied with the local government's job performance, but in 2022 the share of satisfied residents had dropped to 40 percent. "Residents are voting with their legs," Djeri said, noting that some portion of income tax revenue should be reallocated to those municipalities where people work. 

As for the condition of roads and streets, Riga is losing not only to Jurmala, but also other capital cities. Riga's streets are in terrible condition, Djeri said. Improvement of the streets' condition has been declared a priority, but the funding allocated for this purpose is not sufficient. 

Members of Riga City Council are today debating amendments to the city's 2023 budget.