Prime minister challenges Eastern Hospital board appointment
Tuesday 8th September 2026 on 19:30 in
Latvia
Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has criticised the appointment of Vineta Kutkēviča to the board of Eastern Hospital, LSM reported. Kutkēviča stepped down from the board of Riga Heat in April after reports of a possible conflict of interest involving procurement contracts won by a company owned by her husband.
Kutkēviča was appointed to Eastern Hospital’s board last week, with responsibility for development issues. She was selected from among 19 candidates.
Kulbergs called the appointment unacceptable, referring to his previous criticism of Riga Heat’s management.
“In this case, we saw how unprofessionally Riga Heat was managed. I am also shocked that a person with a direct conflict of interest at Riga Heat could reach a position where it would be possible for state or state-owned company procurements to continue and for a related person to win tenders. That should not be considered normal,” Kulbergs said.
Kutkēviča said in a written response that she met the requirements for the position.
“I respect the public’s and the media’s interest in the management of state-owned companies, but I do not agree with claims that question my professional suitability for this position,” she said.
Health Ministry State Secretary Agnese Vaļuliene said the competition was organised by the State Chancellery. Ministry representatives and independent specialists from the Latvian Medical Association and the Association of Young Doctors also assessed the candidates.
Vaļuliene rejected speculation that political influence had played a role in Kutkēviča’s selection, saying the competition commission had chosen her as the best candidate.
In April, Kutkēviča resigned from Riga Heat’s board after reports of possible links between her position and the success of her husband’s company, Elsana, in Riga Heat procurements worth more than 8 million euros in total. The company categorically denied that Kutkēviča had been involved in decisions concerning the procurements or related contracts.