Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins’ (New Unity) resignation is a decision worthy of a “respectable and responsible statesman”, taken to prevent opponents from using the situation for attacks on Prime Minister Evika Silina’s (New Unity) government and New Unity party, Edmunds Jurevics, chair of the New Unity group in the Saeima, believes.
In his statement following Karins’ resignation announcement, Jurevics notes that Karins served as prime minister for nearly five years, leading a complex coalition at a time when Latvia was faced with challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which changed the geopolitical situation on a global scale.
“Both as prime minister and as foreign minister, he has worked successfully and defended Latvia’s national interests. He and his team secured the largest ever EU funding in a multiannual budget cycle, which is now allowing our country’s economy to grow,” Jurevics said. Karins has secured substantial support from the EU and NATO to strengthen Latvia’s security and Ukraine’s fight against the aggressor.
“Karins is and will be part of our team and I am confident that he will continue to invest his knowledge, experience and energy in working successfully for Latvia,” Jurevics sys in his statement.
As reported, the Prosecutor General’s Office has opened and handed over to the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) for investigation the use of contract flights by Karins for working trips during his time in office.
According to public information, the General Prosecutor’s Office carried out an investigation into the use of contract air travel services during the former PM’s working trips.
The Prosecutor General’s Office does not dispute that in the course of the performance of the duties of senior state officials, situations may arise when it is necessary to use the services of a contracted air transport for the purpose of securing a working trip.
LETA also reported, the special air trips made by the delegations led by Karins during his office as the prime minister, which have attracted criticism from a part of the public, cost EUR 613,830 from the state budget between 2021 and September 2023, according to the information gathered by the State Chancellery.
Source: BNS
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