Around 30 members quit For Latvia’s Development in Mārupes

Mārupes Mayor Aivars Osītis, five municipal councillors and the party’s entire local branch, about 30 people in total, have left For Latvia’s Development, LSM reported. Osītis will remain mayor and work with his colleagues as a non-partisan councillor.

The departing members said their decision was driven by the actions of specific people, not the party’s election result or a change in ideology. They did not specify who or what they meant.

“There are things I have to keep to myself,” Osītis said, adding that he had shared his concerns with those involved. Councillor Arnis Priediņš said the decision had been developing for some time but declined to explain further.

Artis Pabriks and Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis, two of the party’s best-known politicians, have also decided to leave its board. Both will remain party members. The changes were attributed to their work responsibilities.

Party leader Juris Pūce said he had not heard the departing members’ complaints while they were still in the party. He rejected the suggestion that the departures reflected deeper divisions, while noting that the party received 2.179% of the vote in the latest parliamentary election, below its expectations.