Riga City Council Politicians' Ratings Decline; Kotello Drops Most

According to a survey conducted by the research center SKDS on behalf of the Riga City Council, the majority of council leadership politicians experienced a decline in ratings in the first half of 2025. Compared to November 2024, only three politicians saw an increase.

Marta Kotello (P), head of the Outdoor Space and Mobility Committee, suffered the largest drop: her rating fell by 13.7 points from 2.4 to minus 11.3. She now has the lowest rating among council leaders.

Ģirts Lapiņš (NA), chairman of the Committee on Security, Order and Corruption Prevention, saw his rating drop by 8.6 points to minus 6.6. Deputy Mayor Edvards Ratnieks (NA) lost 7.1 points, landing at minus 7.1. Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (P) fell by 6.9 points but remained positive at 2.2. Chairman of the City Property Committee Dainis Locis (NA) dropped 3.7 points to minus 1.2. Chairman of the City Development Committee Edgars Bergholcs (AS) decreased by 3.6 points to minus 1. Chairwoman of the Housing and Environment Committee Elīna Treija (NA) fell 1.1 points to 1.7. Chairwoman of the Social Affairs Committee Inese Andersone (JV) kept a positive rating of 1.9, down 0.7 points.

On the positive side, Deputy Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis (JV) saw the largest increase: up 7.1 points to 2. Deputy Mayor Māris Sprindžuks gained 3.3 points to 0.8. Chairwoman of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee Laima Geikina (JV) is the most positively rated with 2.9, up 0.4 points.

The survey was conducted in May by SKDS, interviewing 804 registered residents of Riga aged 18–75, with ratings based on responses from 665 Latvian citizens.