Krištopans: Several election promises already advancing in EP; main struggle is against bureaucracy

Member of the European Parliament Vilis Krištopans has said that several things he promised to voters are already being advanced or achieved. He points to migration policy, climate regulation, the auto industry, the deforestation regulation and the issue of wolf protection status, which is important for hunters and rural residents.

Krištopans explained that one of the key issues is the so-called return regulation in migration policy, which he considers important for the EU to more effectively address illegal migration and the return of people to their countries of origin. He also mentioned the postponement of CO2 requirements and climate neutrality targets in the auto industry. In his view, EU climate policy is often implemented too hastily and bureaucratically, without sufficient regard for member states' economies, businesses and residents.

Another example he cited is the deforestation regulation. According to Krištopans, a vote has been advanced in the European Parliament to postpone the regulation's entry into force. He considers this important so that businesses and countries are not overloaded with unprepared requirements.

The MEP also highlighted the wolf protection status. He said the European Parliament has voted to move wolves from the status of a strictly protected species to that of a protected species. Krištopans stressed that Latvia's wolf population is not a disappearing problem. He said that he himself has seen wolves in his rural yard during the day, and farmers have had sheep killed by wolves. "Wolves have survived. They will always be in such an empty land as Latvia, where 53% of the territory is forests," he said. In his view, in Latvia wolves could not be destroyed even if one wanted to, let alone when they are specially protected, so changing their status is a practical and important decision for Latvia.

Speaking more broadly about his work in the European Parliament, Krištopans emphasised that in his view the main fight is not between right-wing and left-wing political forces. He believes the "Patriots" are fighting against the European Commission's bureaucratic approach. He specifically criticised Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, noting that she was not directly elected. Krištopans argued that Commission bureaucrats increasingly impose their rules on the 27 member states. "All the time they try to bureaucratise more and more," he said. He added that "Patriots" will continue to fight and, in his words, "saw off the legs of von der Leyen's chair".

The publication was produced in cooperation with the European Parliament political group "Patriots for Europe". The European Parliament is not responsible for its content.