Saeima candidates debate Kurzeme's development and cutting bureaucracy
Four candidates for Latvia's Saeima elections discussed labor shortages, taxes, road infrastructure and the future of the Kurzeme region at a pre-election debate organized by Kurzemnieks. Three parties declined the invitation to participate.
The town of Kuldīga hosted the first pre-election debate organized by the news outlet Kurzemnieks, featuring four candidates for Latvia's parliamentary elections: Inga Bērziņa (Jaunā Vienotība), Nellija Kleinberga (Apvienotais saraksts), Uģis Rukuts (National Alliance's Jaunā konservatīvā partija) and Ēriks Pucens (Mēs mainām noteikumus). The Union of Greens and Farmers, Latvia First and the National Alliance did not take up the invitation to join.
Regional development and business
Candidates focused on strengthening regions and bringing local services up to the standard of major cities. Bērziņa highlighted incentive funding for municipalities that support business and investment in production modernization. Kleinberga spoke about expanding public-private partnership projects and building a fairer financial equalization system. Rukuts named security, education and healthcare as top priorities, while Pucens advocated abolishing the Civil Service Law and reforming the electoral system.
Labor, taxes and bureaucracy
All candidates agreed labor shortages in the regions are a major problem. Rukuts called for encouraging emigrants to return and simplifying the tax system. Kleinberga emphasized labor productivity and attracting skilled workers from allied countries, along with changes to the micro-enterprise tax. Bērziņa stressed investment in education and science, citing existing examples of reduced bureaucracy in construction permitting. Pucens proposed reviving a micro-enterprise tax at a 10% rate with a turnover cap of 500,000 euros.
Road infrastructure
The debate also addressed the long-promised repair of the Basu road. Candidates acknowledged the promise must be kept and pointed to financing options including public-private partnerships, revising the road usage tax, and the next EU structural funds period.
Vision for Kuldīga and Kurzeme
Bērziņa proposed a law on Baltic Sea coastal security and development. Kleinberga emphasized healthcare reform where funding follows the patient. Rukuts said he wants Kuldīga to become Kurzeme's leading city, while Pucens suggested creating a unified Kurzeme special economic zone encompassing Liepāja, Ventspils, Saldus, Kuldīga and Talsi.
