After a break of several months, picketers could gather near the Saeima building again. In one protest, people opposed the local government reform, in the course of which it is planned to merge self-sufficient local governments, such as Ikšķile and Kandava counties.
Photo: Karīna Miezāja
At the June 30 council meeting, the deputies of Kandava region decided to apply to the Constitutional Court, the portal LA.LV was informed by the representatives of Kandava region council.
The municipality emphasized that consultations with the sworn law firm on constitutional law issues had been held in advance to understand how meaningful it was to achieve the preservation of Kandava region, as well as views with other municipalities that were disappointed after the promulgation of the new Administrative Territorial Law were discussed.
After the vote of the Saeima, the President of Latvia Egils Levits has also promulgated the Law on Administrative Territories and Settlements, which envisages the establishment of 42 local governments in Latvia instead of 119 local governments from 2021.
However, the President emphasizes that the administrative territories and boundaries established by law are not set in stone forever, and if a local government or local community believes that its arguments have not been properly heard and taken into account, they have the opportunity to apply to the Constitutional Court and seek legal redress. their assessment.
The President acknowledges that the process of drafting the law and advancing the reform is not and cannot be considered an example of a good reform process.
On June 16, the Chairman of the Kandava County Council, Inga Priede, together with 46 other Latvian local government leaders from various political parties, addressed the President with a joint letter, calling not to promulgate this law.
“We also addressed the President as representatives of Kandava region with a request to meet in person, as well as other influential persons and non-governmental organizations of Kandava region have sent letters to the President, the Saeima, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ombudsman. Therefore, the President pointed out at a press conference that it would still be possible to review and amend the law for both Kandava and Varakļāni counties. Receiving the call of the President, the Kandava County Council, other local governments and a part of the Saeima deputies will turn to the Constitutional Court, ”explained Līga Šupstika, the representative of the Kandava County Council.
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