“Democracy is a form of public self-governance. Governance through representatives elected by them,’ President of Latvia added. Towns with historical significance, which no longer have their local politicians as a result of municipal amalgamation, will benefit most from such councils, he added. President of Latvia Egils Levits insisted on the need to include elected community councils in the local government law when it was amended and repeatedly reminded that such regulations for local representation are extremely important for civic engagement.
Participants of the panel discussion were then invited to express their thoughts about elected community councils and various dimensions of them. Reluctance of some community groups to take part in local decisions was one of the problems raised. It could render councils inefficient.
Everyone agreed that the new regulation could foster intergenerational cooperation and thus multiply local resources and promote the culture of collective decision-making. According to the law, young people aged 16 and above would be eligible to take active role in elected community councils.
Discussion showed that elected local communities require synergies with regional government to be able to maximise the outcomes. This requires regions to carefully listen to and follow the suggestions of local councils. Dagnis Straubergs, Chair of the Limbaži Regional Council, indicated that the region is continuing work on regulations for elected community councils.
President of Latvia Egils Levits engaged in the panel discussion with Dagnis Straubergs, Chair of the Limbaži Regional Council, Andris Krogzems, businessman and Chair of the Viļķene Advisory Committee, Gunta Lāce, Headmistress of State Gymnasium, Director of Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation and active coordinator of Belarus and Ukraine support activities, as well as Aiga Briede, Head of the Legal Department at Limbaži Regional Council. Full video from discussion is available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/Tt5PUIWeciw?feature=share.
During the regional visit to Limbaži, President of Latvia Egils Levits and Mrs Andra Levite visit food material producer “Aloja-Starkelsen” that manufactures potato starch-based and legume protein-based products. President Levits also took national defence class together with pupils of Limbaži Secondary School. Mrs Andra Levite spent time getting acquainted with traditional crafts and arts of Limbaži region in the lead up to the National Song and Dance Festival.
