Thursday, March 11, 2010

Do Latvian people really appreciate what they get? (updated)

The EU directorate of economic and financial affairs (ECOFIN) just announced, that the disbursement of EUR 0,5 billion was executed today. This disbursement of money was another part of community assistance within framework of the 7,5 billion loan that should save Latvia from insolvency. Latvian virtual bankruptcy was very much precipitated by reckless and amateurish policies of the right from centre governing coalition (People' s Party, First and Latvian Way Party Union, Union of Greens and Farmers, and Fatherland Party). The present Cabinet of Valdis Dombrovskis is the fifteenth since the Supreme Council of Latvia announced that sovereignty is reestablished within territory of the Republic of Latvia, and it is already more than five years since Latvia is a proud member of the EU. The number of disenchanted voters distrusting major institutions of government is constantly increasing in Latvia. Even more interestingly, the number of folks distrusting the EU is on the rise for last two years. Disenchantment with the governing clique is just one part of the story, but also the increase of poverty and general apathy of the electorate is gradually making Latvian Europeanization unruly. Shame on you AAA team! It is sad that the electorate (40-45% of undecided voters prior elections) has followed these false prophets thus easily so far...




Updated
And as if it is not enough Latvian ill famous AAA team has been open and active today. First, somewhat emulating FDR and his "new deal" the former PM and founder of People"s Party (PP) reached out to the rest of the society looking for social reconciliation. I should not mention all the mess his PP created throughout years (since its foundations in 1996), and Latvian public reflects its opinion about the past deeds not letting the popularity of PP to climb above the threshold needed for entering the parliament for more than two years now. The former PM finally has outlined the program for economic recovery that was long awaited, and one should only skim through the 64 slides of it to understand that there is little substance in there. And as if this would not be enough the former PM proved, that the meeting of the AAA team took place today in Riga. Are those amendments of the election law or the depth of economic contraction that made the AAA team gangsta members to coordinate their acts thus openly and hurriedly these days?

P.S. And here is my article for today's "Postimees"

2 comments:

Sestdienis said...

I have always been a big fan of the European Union. I have never even asked myself the question whether Latvia should be in EU. It is clear that Latvia belongs to Europe, both historically and geographically. For those who keep counting up the disadvantages of being a part of the EU (it is clear that EU is not perfect) - do they really believe that life in Latvia would be BETTER if it was not a member of EU? What would this "independance" bring - higher wages, less unemployment? I don't think so. And our problems are created by ourselves ie. AAA-likes, not by EU. It's not about them, it's all about us, like Lee Ryan sang. Of course, AAA would feel much better in CIS or even in a unity with Russia because their "rules of the game" and way of making business is much more acceptable and understandable for our minigarchs.
P.S. I am happy to see you keeping up the good job, Veiko. Keep blogging ;)

Veiko Spolitis said...

Sveiks Sestdieni!

I am European federalist but I also understand why such frustration reign among broad swathes of society - pessimism about the EU directly correlates from the very badly managed local political domain....Lets follow how the changes take place, because elections are approaching:)