Rinkēvičs urges new Saeima to turn election promises into action

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs urged lawmakers at the first session of the 15th Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, to keep their election promises and turn words into action, LSM reported. He identified internal and external security, the economy and demography as the country’s priorities for the coming years.

Rinkēvičs said bold decisions must be carefully considered and justified, and called on lawmakers to explain their choices and political processes to the public. He said the deputies would need to work together to deliver results, despite some of their election promises being incompatible.

The president said internal and external security go hand in hand. He also called for the reorganisation of public administration and a reduction in bureaucracy, adding that demography is closely connected to other policy areas. He expressed readiness to cooperate closely with the parliament.

Rinkēvičs thanked citizens who voted in the parliamentary election and said it was important to understand why many did not take part. He said voter confidence that every ballot matters should be strengthened, and urged lawmakers to encourage civic participation so that more people vote in future elections.