National Alliance urges merging three ministries into one Ministry of National Economy before elections

The National Alliance (NA) has urged the ruling coalition to make a decision before the next Saeima elections on merging three ministries into one Ministry of National Economy. The party proposes to merge the Ministry of Climate and Energy (KEM), the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM), and the Ministry of Economics (EM).

KEM was created after the 14th Saeima elections, when a government was formed by "New Unity", the "United List", and NA. VARAM and EM have existed for longer. Currently, the 14th Saeima is in its third government, and several coalition politicians have publicly suggested that KEM should be abolished after the elections.

In its statement, NA argues that concentrating economic, energy, and regional development policies in one ministry would allow faster and more coordinated decision-making. Climate and Energy Minister Jānis Vitenbergs (NA) notes that there is a common understanding within the coalition about the need to review the current ministry model and organize their functions more efficiently. According to Vitenbergs, creating the Ministry of National Economy would enable more efficient use of resources, eliminate duplication of functions, and speed up decision-making.

The party believes the reform would bring multiple benefits: faster document flow, improved coordination of decisions, a closer link between economic development and regional policy, more rational organization of environmental and nature policy, and more efficient management of EU and climate funds. Concentrating energy and energy efficiency policy in one place would allow more rational use of resources and accelerate building energy efficiency projects, according to NA.

Vitenbergs recalls that KEM was established for specific time-limited tasks: to strengthen Latvia's energy security, ensure disconnection from Russian energy supplies, and regulate the development of renewable energy resources. He notes that these tasks must continue, but that does not mean these functions require a separate ministry in the long term.

NA wants the changes to be considered by the current coalition and has submitted amendments for discussion at the next meeting of coalition parties. The party proposes that the State Chancellery prepare an optimal scenario for merging ministry functions by September 29. This assessment should include the organizational structure of the new ministry, solutions for subordinate institutions and state-owned companies, as well as estimates of potential savings and an optimal premises solution.