Flickr
On Thursday, 19 June, political groups "PROGRESĪVIE", Nacionālā apvienība (NA), "Jaunā VIENOTĪBA" (JV) un Apvienotais saraksts (AS) signed a cooperation agreement and a joint Action Plan for Riga 2025-2029. The newly-formed coalition is committed to working on the basis of openness, respectful cooperation and co-responsibility for Riga's development.
The Action Plan has three overarching objectives: A safe and crisis-ready Riga; A city where the future grows; A developed, connected metropolis. This is a plan developed jointly by all coalition parties to strengthen Riga as a modern, Latvian and humane European capital.
"The work of the coalition I will lead will be based on openness, trust and a shared sense of duty. We will build Riga together with its residents to make it safe, sustainable and improve the quality of life for all – families, children, young people and seniors. Four years of intensive work lie ahead and we are aware of the great responsibility that the residents of Riga have entrusted us with. This mandate is a vote of confidence that we must now live up to," said Viesturs Kleinbergs, candidate for the position of the Mayor of Riga.
"The people of Riga voted for security and national values, so together with our coalition partners we are committed to implementing these priorities, ensuring transparent, ethical and efficient work of the Riga City Council, aimed at strengthening the security and sustainable development of the city in the interests of all residents of Riga. Riga as the capital of Latvia will be built to embody a Latvian identity, where it is respected, nurtured and developed, at the same time restoring its competitiveness among the Baltic capitals, as well as making it a strong capital of Northern Europe with a high standard of living, a pleasant living space for families and a well-developed economy," says Edvards Ratnieks (NA), candidate for the position of the Vice-Chairman of the Riga City Council.
"If the task of the previous Riga City Council was to organise the work of the Riga municipality in a systematic way, or, figuratively speaking, to sharpen the tools, then this new convocation has the perfect tools to actively work towards visible, tangible, actual results for the residents of Riga. There is and always will be a lot of work in Riga, and it is our responsibility to faithfully fulfil the mandate given by the residents of Riga to work for the benefit of our city," comments Vilnis Ķirsis (JV), candidate for the position of the Vice-Chairman of the Riga City Council.
"It is important for Riga's growth to cooperate with the city's neighbourhoods, whose potential remains untapped in many places. Equally important is cooperation with municipalities in the periphery to improve the quality and development of public services. Together we can do more!" says Māris Sprindžuks (AS), candidate for the position of the Vice-Chairman of the Riga City Council.
The coalition partners have agreed to include 15 priority action lines with specific tasks in the plan:
- Modern governance and reduction of bureaucracy
- Well-maintained streets, bridges and courtyards
- Convenient and safe mobility for everyone
- Public transport
- Civil defence and security
- Housing construction and insulation
- Urban space and environmental protection
- Supporting entrepreneurship and attracting investment
- Education
- Young people and interest education
- Cultural development in all neighbourhoods of Riga
- Sports
- Support for families, health and social protection
- The development of the Riga metropolis
- Strengthening neighbourhoods and democratic society
These lines will serve as a roadmap for working together to make Riga a city where everyone feels safe and belongs.
Information was prepared by Letīcija Līva Lukjanska, the press secretary of the party "Progresīvie".
