National Alliance Proposes Merging Three Ministries into One

The National Alliance (NA) is advocating for the creation of a Ministry of National Economy by merging three existing ministries: the Ministry of Climate and Energy, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, and the Ministry of Economics. According to the party, concentrating economic, energy, and regional development policies under one roof would enable faster and more coordinated decision-making.

Climate and Energy Minister Jānis Vitenbergs (NA) noted that there is a shared understanding within the coalition that the current ministerial model should be reviewed and that functions could be organized more efficiently. He emphasized that the reform would allow better resource utilization, prevent overlapping functions, and accelerate decision-making, while sending a clear signal to businesses and the public that the government is capable of change.

The NA believes that a unified ministry would strengthen the link between economic development and regional policy, rationalize the organization of environmental and nature policy, and improve the management of European Union and climate funds. Energy efficiency and energy policy would also be centralized, speeding up building renovation projects.

Vitenbergs explained that the Ministry of Climate and Energy was created for specific, time-bound tasks: enhancing energy security, breaking away from Russian energy supplies, and regulating renewable energy development. While these tasks remain important, he argued that they do not require a separate ministry in the long term.

The NA has submitted this reform proposal for discussion at the next Cooperation Council meeting. The party calls on the State Chancellery to prepare an optimal scenario for merging the ministries' functions by September 29, including a proposed organizational structure for the new ministry, solutions for subordinate institutions and state-owned companies, as well as estimates of potential savings and office space. The NA insists that the government must become more compact, efficient, and focused on economic growth.