November 24, 2021.
The information was prepared by Justīne Deičmane, Head of the Media Center, Office of the President.
On November 24, President Egils Levits submitted to the Saeima a draft law “Amendments to the Law on the Structure of the Cabinet of Ministers”. E. Levits emphasizes that one of the problems of governance in Latvia is the state’s inability to politically manage and effectively manage cross-sectoral policy areas.
“I have suggested that the Law on the Structure of the Cabinet of Ministers provide that the Cabinet of Ministers may appoint one or more state ministers for a term or a fixed term on the proposal of the Prime Minister. “, said in a letter to the Saeima.
The President draws attention to the fact that “in vertical governance, everyone sees the issue from the perspective of their industry, but is usually not able to effectively assess the situation as a whole and manage it properly. This requires horizontal policies and cross-sectoral cooperation.”
In order to modernize public administration and improve the implementation of horizontal policies, the President proposes that the Law on the Structure of the Cabinet of Ministers provide for the right of the Cabinet of Ministers to appoint politically responsible officials – state ministers – if necessary. Levits points out that the possibility of appointing state ministers would give more flexibility in structuring the government and defining areas of political responsibility.
“Child and family policy and digital policy are just some of the areas where there is a lack of such cross-sectoral cooperation and political responsibility for policy-making and implementation in the field. “said in a letter from the President.
E. Levits calls on the Saeima to seriously consider and support this proposal so that it can enter into force after the 14th Saeima convenes and enable the formation of a new Cabinet of Ministers after the Saeima elections “to highlight not only vertical policy areas, as has traditionally been the case, but also additional horizontal policies where good governance and the political will to implement it have often been lacking so far, neglecting these often important issues for society as a whole “.
The letter from the President is available on the Legislative Initiatives section of the Office of the President.
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