Kulbergs urges no political interference in Luminor sale, Rinkēvičs highlights security risks
Prime Minister Kulbergs believes politicians should stay out of the potential sale of Luminor bank to Hungary's OTP Bank, while President Rinkēvičs calls for assessing security concerns raised by the State Security Service.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated on Wednesday that politicians should not interfere in the matter of Hungary's largest commercial bank, OTP Bank, seeking to acquire Luminor bank, which operates in Latvia and the Baltics.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs, commenting on the potential deal, acknowledged that he is aware of the concerns expressed by the State Security Service (VDD). He expressed hope that the regulator, when deciding on permission for the bank transaction, will take security risks into account.
Luminor is one of the largest banks in the Baltic region, and its potential sale to a Hungarian bank has sparked broad discussions about possible security and economic risks. While Kulbergs urges that the decision not be left to politicians, Rinkēvičs emphasizes the need to assess national security aspects.
