Siliņa in pre-election debate: politics requires athletic stamina
In a TV24 pre-election debate, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa defended the government's record on the economy and healthcare, comparing Latvia's figures with Estonia's. She also remarked that enduring political debates requires athletic strength.
TV24's debate series "Pre-election Debates. The Fight for Latvia" airs on Sunday evenings in September, featuring discussions between party representatives ahead of the upcoming elections. In one such debate, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa ("New Unity") pushed back against opponents' claims that Estonia continuously outperforms Latvia economically.
Siliņa pointed out that in one quarter this year, Latvia's economic growth reached 2.5%, compared to 2.4% in Estonia. An opposition representative urged the prime minister to look at actual data rather than relying on spreadsheet figures. Siliņa also noted that an increasing number of Estonian investment companies are choosing to invest in Latvia rather than in their home country.
Healthcare and sport
Turning to healthcare, Siliņa highlighted the importance of sport for people's wellbeing, while stressing the need to continue work already underway — increasing state funding and support for reimbursable medications. Speaking about sport, the prime minister remarked, somewhat philosophically, that athletic strength is what helps one endure intense political debates such as the one taking place.
Siliņa reiterated that investments already made in healthcare — greater funding and expanded state support for reimbursable medications — must continue. She named directing 6% of the economy toward healthcare as a goal to work toward.
The debate series "Pre-election Debates. The Fight for Latvia" airs on TV24 on September Sundays at 21:03, with episodes also available for later viewing. The project is funded by the Media Support Fund from the state budget, with content responsibility resting with AS "TV Latvija".
