Velšs sharply criticises how citizenship decision was assessed

Retired general and security expert Artis Velšs sharply criticised the way a citizenship-granting matter was assessed in Latvia, and the lack of accountability in decision-making, during the TV24 programme “Preses klubs”. In his view, such cases further undermine the already low public trust in state authorities and in the quality of lawmaking.

Velšs admitted he had been in “huge shock” over what happened. He said the situation makes the entire decision-making process a laughing stock in people’s eyes. “I really thought there was no lower to fall,” he said. He also called the episode a “huge stain of shame” and added that he does not understand how such a situation could have arisen at all.

Concerns go beyond a single issue

Velšs stressed that his worry is not limited to citizenship. In his view, the problem is the possibility of making decisions on the basis of unverified recommendations or invented arguments. That raises the question of how carefully the arguments underpinning legislation are actually checked. “I am horrified thinking about what other laws could be pushed through,” the security expert said.

Irresponsibility at several stages

What angers Velšs most, in his view, is the irresponsibility allowed at various stages of moving the decision forward, and an unwillingness to explain how the situation came about. He questioned whether those involved had searched for and assessed information carefully enough before the issue reached a vote in the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament. “Not one of those hundreds of people thought to look something up, check, assess. Everyone just doesn’t care,” Velšs said.

He judged that such cases significantly reduce public trust in lawmaking.