Uzulnieks dismissed as welfare minister after drunk driving, Augulis to take over duties

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) signed an order on Sunday, September 13, dismissing Reinis Uzulnieks from the post of welfare minister. Until a further decision is made, Agriculture Minister Augulis has been tasked with carrying out the welfare minister's duties.

The decision follows an incident on Saturday, September 12, when Uzulnieks was caught driving while heavily intoxicated. The State Police confirmed that municipal police stopped a Škoda driver in the Stopiņi parish of Ropaži municipality, after which State Police were called to the scene. A breath test showed an alcohol concentration of 3.09 per mille. According to Uzulnieks' official declaration of assets, he owns a Škoda Kodiaq registered in 2022.

Political consequences

Following the incident, the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), the party Uzulnieks represents, withdrew him from the ministerial post and has also pledged to expel him from the party. A ZZS board meeting is scheduled for today, after which further details are expected to be released.

Criminal proceedings

The State Police have opened a criminal case over the incident. Under the Criminal Law, driving with an alcohol concentration above 1.5 per mille is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year of imprisonment, probationary supervision, and a five-year driving ban, along with confiscation of the vehicle.