Kulbergs: Current Government Cannot Reverse Previous Cabinet's Decisions on Wood Industry Support

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) told journalists on Tuesday after a government meeting that the current administration cannot cancel the previous government's decisions regarding support for wood industry. He emphasized that it is not legally possible – the decisions have already been made, the law has been implemented, and the process is complete. Kulbergs compared the Prosecutor General's demand to restarting World War II, which is impossible.

The government held a closed session to discuss a response to the Prosecutor General's Office, which had sent a protest demanding the revocation of decisions that granted discounts to wood industry companies. The Prosecutor's Office argues that the Cabinet's actions, instructing the state-owned company "Latvijas valsts meži" (LVM) to change timber pricing procedures, were unlawful.

According to Kulbergs, the government decided that the Ministry of Justice and the State Chancellery must determine by July 24 whether it is possible to request an interpretation from the Constitutional Court regarding the legality of the previous government's actions. Additionally, regulatory changes are needed to ensure clear procedures for similar situations in the future.

Agriculture Minister Uldis Augulis (ZZS) confirmed that the draft response is classified information. He added that tasks will be assigned to evaluate how the government makes decisions in crisis situations. Augulis did not disclose whether the government plans to challenge the decision in the Constitutional Court.

The Prosecutor's Office contests the discounts, claiming they were based on false information and caused significant losses to the state. The exact amount of losses has not been specified. If the Cabinet accepts the protest, companies will have to repay the price difference.

The government must evaluate the Prosecutor's demand by July 24. If the protest is rejected, the case could be taken to the Constitutional Court, as previously stated by Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters.

Ten individuals are involved in a criminal investigation into this matter, including former Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze, former State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Kronbergs, current State Secretary Ģirts Krūmiņš, and several LVM officials. No security measures have been applied. The investigation covers two aspects: potential abuse of office by ministry officials and negligent conduct by LVM officials. The state's losses may amount to approximately 50 million euros.

Several non-official individuals are suspected of aiding the abuse of office.