A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities carried out a fact-finding visit to the Republic of Latvia on 4 December 2019. The visit was organised following a complaint from the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LALRG) concerning the ongoing territorial administrative reform and the risks it entails for local and regional democracy in Latvia.
In the framework of this fact-finding visit, Congress co-rapporteurs Xavier Cadoret (France, SOC/G/PD) and Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG) examined the points raised by the Latvian Association in the light of the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which Latvia ratified in 1996, and held several discussions with the Latvian authorities.
The delegation met in Riga with the Mayor, Mr. Oļegs Burovs, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Mr. Juris Puce, as well as the Deputy State Secretary on Budget Issues, Ms. Jolanta Plūme. A meeting also took place with members of the Latvian delegation to the Congress and the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, in order to clarify the issues raised in the Association's letter.
Latvia ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1996. Countries which have ratified the Charter are bound by its provisions. The Charter requires compliance with a minimum number of rights, which form the European bedrock of local self-government. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities makes sure that these principles are observed.
Contact:
Stéphanie Poirel, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Secretary of the Monitoring Committee
Tel. + 33 3 90 21 51 84 / +33 7 62 17 34 15
