Usakovs more critical about himself than State Audit Office and ombudsman – Urbanovics

RIGA – In relation to the latest corruption scandals at the Riga City Council, Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony) is more critical towards himself than the State Audit Office and ombudsman, said one of the Harmony’s leaders, Janis Urbanovics, in an interview with the Latvian public television.

Hes aid that there is a dynamic discussion about the recent development also within the party. Urbanovics said that the party in the nearest time might come up with its explanations about possible suspects. “The society is waiting for our explanations. Saturday’s rally demonstrated that the society trusts the mayor and his team at the Riga City Council,” said Urbanovics.

Urbanovics also noted that “Riga is not a separate island”, and the power of money in politics is one of the biggest problems in the country in general, requiring a fast solution.

As reported, the Riga City Council opposition on Monday did not have enough votes to sack Riga City Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony) and he survived another confidence vote.

The no confidence motion has been proposed by the city council’s opposition members. This is the third time during the present Riga City Council when a no-confidence vote in Usakovs has been initiated.

A couple of weeks ago, the Riga City Council was rocked by a corruption scandal in Rigas Satiksme municipal transport company. As part of a criminal investigation into Rigas Satiksme’s procurement deals, the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) conducted searches at the Riga mayor’s office and residence.

Usakovs said after the searches that he would not resign as he had not been given any status in the Rigas Satiksme corruption probe and had committed no criminal offenses. Usakovs’ Harmony party called the searches political score-settling.

A rally organized by Harmony in Usakovs’ support in City Hall Square last Saturday drew around 3,000 participants.