PM Kulbergs dismisses Uzulnieks as welfare minister after drink-driving arrest

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced on social media platform X that he has issued an order dismissing Reinis Uzulnieks (Union of Greens and Farmers, ZZS) from his duties as welfare minister, following the minister's detention for drink-driving. Kulbergs described a minister driving under the influence as total irresponsibility and a threat to society. Uldis Augulis (ZZS) has been appointed acting welfare minister for the remainder of the current government's term.

Circumstances

The State Police confirmed that on Saturday, September 12, municipal police stopped a Škoda driver in Stopiņi parish, Ropaži municipality, after observing signs of intoxication. A breath test showed a blood alcohol concentration of 3.09 per mille. The State Police have opened a criminal case over the incident. According to information available to Latvian Television (LTV), a figure of 3.5 per mille has also been cited, and the minister was placed in a short-term detention facility on Gaujas Street in Riga following his arrest. Uzulnieks' asset declaration lists a 2022 Škoda Kodiaq as his vehicle.

Reactions

President Edgars Rinkēvičs commented on Facebook that driving under the influence is dangerous and criminal behavior that carries criminal liability under certain circumstances, adding that it is especially unacceptable when committed by state officials. He stressed that no one is above the law and that such conduct deserves severe punishment.

The ZZS board held an emergency meeting and decided to remove Uzulnieks from his ministerial post and expel him from the party. Viktors Valainis, chairman of the Latvian Farmers' Union within ZZS, said the decision was unanimous, as the party has zero tolerance for such incidents, though he noted Uzulnieks remains free to run in elections.

Amendments to the Criminal Law that took effect in November 2022 criminalize driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 1.5 per mille, punishable by up to one year's imprisonment, probationary supervision, and a five-year driving ban.