Puče: State Budget Spending and NGO Funding Need Close Scrutiny

Latvian TV channel TV24 devoted a segment of its programme “Nedēļa. Post Scriptum”, aired in October 2026, to how the state budget is spent and how much funding goes to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The discussion featured Andrejs Ēķis, a producer and director, and Armands Puče, a journalist and TV24 on-air personality. They talked about the efficiency of public spending, and Andris Kulbergs' emphasis on reviewing state expenditure was also mentioned.

Ēķis expressed surprise at the scale of the funds channelled to NGOs. Puče said he had not previously been aware of the amounts involved. He criticised the way such funding is allocated and voiced suspicions of structural problems in how public money is distributed.

Entrepreneurs and budget revenue

Assessing the state budget, Puče pointed to the role of entrepreneurs in generating revenue. In his words, companies operate, pay taxes and thereby make up part of the funds available to the state. He argued that how this money is spent should be examined just as carefully.

Puče highlighted Kulbergs' approach of analysing state costs and asking where budget money goes. In his view, there is an important difference between those who create economic value and provide revenue, and those who spend those funds.

The journalist stressed that reviewing state expenditure is an important issue and that it will be significant for Kulbergs to show he can carry out his intentions in this area. The source does not specify which intentions these are or in what position Kulbergs would act on them.