DOCSLIB.ORG

Latvia by Juris Dreifelds

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Latvia by Juris Dreifelds Latvia by Juris Dreifelds Capital: Riga Population: 2.3 million GNI/capita: US$14,840 The social data above was taken from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Transition Report 2007: People in Transition, and the economic data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators 2008. Nations in Transit Ratings and Averaged Scores 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Electoral Process 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 2.00 2.00 Civil Society 2.25 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 Independent Media 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.75 Governance* 2.50 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 n/a n/a n/a n/a National Democratic 2.00 Governance n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2.25 2.00 2.00 Local Democratic 2.25 Governance n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2.50 2.50 2.50 Judicial Framework 1.75 and Independence 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.25 2.00 1.75 1.75 1.75 Corruption 3.50 3.50 3.75 3.50 3.50 3.50 3.25 3.00 3.00 Democracy Score 2.29 2.21 2.25 2.25 2.17 2.14 2.07 2.07 2.07 * With the 2005 edition, Freedom House introduced separate analysis and ratings for national democratic governance and local democratic governance to provide readers with more detailed and nuanced analysis of these two important subjects. NOTE: The ratings reflect the consensus of Freedom House, its academic advisers, and the author(s) ofthis report. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s). The ratings are based on ascaleof1to 7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. 344 Nations in Transit 2008 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY atvia’s road to a fuller democracy, a functioning market economy, and an improved civil society has been made much easier by the country’s historical exposure to two decades of independence won in 1920. While there was Lpolitical turbulence and a certain alienation from political institutions in 2007, there were also positive signs of democratic consolidation. The increasing awareness of the value of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and liberal Internet access to all types of government information have slowly built a sense of democracy and a more informed electorate that is willing to press government for desired changes. The highly competitive Latvian mass media are proving to be reliable sources of information and watchdogs against governmental abuses of power. National Democratic Governance. The four-party coalition following the October 2006 elections has maintained a solid majority of 59 deputies in the 100-member Parliament. However, through a series of unclear decisions, cavalier responses to the president and the opposition, and unresponsiveness to public opinion, this coalition squandered the trust expressed last year by a majority of voters. Three of the coalition parties, in the fall of 2007, were no longer ableto surpass the required 5 percent threshold to gain seats in Latvia’s Parliament. The rating for national democratic government remains at 2.00. Electoral Process. Latvia is a parliamentary democracy, with elections to the 100- member Parliament (Saeima) held every four years. The most recent parliamentary elections took place in October 2006 and were considered by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to have been “administered transparently and professionally in a competitive and pluralistic environment.” However, major distortions in electoral spending were introduced by third-party advertising. Voting turnout in four years declined from 71 percent to 62 percent. Presidential elections by Parliament on October 29, 2007, created widespread dismay because of the last minute choice of an unknown surgeon who was selected in secrecy (at the Riga Zoo) by four members of the coalition and the Latvian politician and business oligarch Andris Šķēle. The elected president, Valdis Zatlers, is turning out tobea relatively active and independent officeholder, increasingly gaining the respect of the population. The rating for electoral process remains at 2.00. Civil Society. NGO activity is in a state of flux because of the loss of financing by foreign donors and reorientation to self-sustainability. Government funding and especially seed money to access European Union (EU) funds have provided some relief. Many ministries have stepped away from their apparent friendliness Latvia 345 to NGOs prior to the elections and have discontinued certain former financial support initiatives, now deemed luxuries. At the same time, popular activity levels to counter threatening government initiatives, such as the dismissal of the anticorruption head, forced a retreat by government on many fronts. The rating for civil society remains at 1.75. Independent Media. Latvian mass media have remained diverse, competitive, and buoyant. Almost all private media in Latvia continued to fall under foreign control, creating unease in the population. Many people also have access to television programs from other EU countries. Latvian public TV is losing its audience share, although public radio is still dominant. When public television LTV1 aborted a previously scheduled program about Russia, much criticism ensued charging that political pressure prevented the story from going on the air. Over 55 percent of the population is engaged in regular use of the Internet. Owing to pressures against public television, Latvia’s rating for independent media worsened from 1.50 to 1.75. Local Democratic Governance. After a decade of discussions, Latvia finally accepted the restructuring of 530 municipal units into a more manageable 105 self-governments, to be effected by the end of 2009. Owing to the rationalization associated with territorial reforms and general activism of municipal politicians, the rating for local democratic governance improves from 2.50 to 2.25. Judicial Framework and Independence. The status, pay, and number of judges in Latvia continue to increase. Administrative courts are now planned to expand to all four major regions of Latvia, easing the pressure on the single court situated in Riga. Modernization of the court system is progressing rapidly, yet trust ratings remain low, with only 25 percent giving a positive rating against a 63 percent negative rating in September 2007. In August 2007, a published transcript of 1998–2000 pre-trial telephone conversations between a leading law firm and judges created much criticism from the public and soul-searching in the judiciary. Ethics committees have now been proposed for judges and lawyers. Funding for the Ministry of Justice, and especially its court administration sector, has more than doubled since 2004. The rating for judicial framework and independence remains at 1.75. Corruption. While all signs indicate relatively limited corruption at the middle and lower levels of the administration and courts, the pinnacle of politics appears tainted. Latvia’s anticorruption organization, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), is becoming more sophisticated and has accelerated its investigations, increasingly catching “big fish” in its net. Leading oligarch Aivars Lembergs was jailed in March 2007 for alleged corruption, and another oligarch, Andris Šķēle, is under scrutiny. KNAB is now one of the most trusted organizations in Latvia, and people are more willing to inform officials about observed corruptive activities. Prime Minister Aigars Kalvītis tried to dismiss the head of KNAB in 346 Nations in Transit 2008 September, but pressure from the public led instead to the prime minister’s resignation. Latvia’s rating for corruption remains at 3.00. Outlook for 2008. In 2008, Latvia will continue to consolidate its position in the EU and NATO. There will be many bitter feelings regarding the distribution of EU funds. The government will no longer feel as confident and willingto ignore public opinion, and changes in the complexion of coalition parties can be expected. Russian-Latvian relations within the republic are presently relaxed, but group animosity might grow in spite of generally friendly personal interactions. This animosity might be fueled by the Russian-language media and by nationalist elements in Russia. Rapid economic growth in the heartland and the current high rate of inflation will create even more discontent in the hinterlands, where stagnation will deepen. More individuals are expected to leave Latvia to work abroad. Many of these, especially Russophones, will not return to Latvia. Latvia 347 MAIN REPORT National Democratic Governance 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2.25 2.00 2.00 2.00 Classic democracy has been established in Latvia, and the country has become a model for other former Soviet republics in attuning national legislation to European Union (EU) standards. The Latvian president’s Strategic Analysis Commission for several years has assembled specialists to evaluate the level of 14 separate components of democracy in the republic. In 2005, the commission judged the average score to be 3.02 (on a scale of 1–5, with 5 the highest). Two years later, the situation had changed very little, and the average was listed at 3.07.1 During 2007, Latvia’s Parliament and government functioned according to the Constitution (which was established in 1922), adhering to laws and regulations and court decisions. There was no fear of extra-parliamentary armed or mob activities, and the elected deputies functioned, for the most part, within the parameters of their mandate and party discipline. The turbulence in politics in 2007 highlighted the viability of the institutional checks and balances that prevented the undue aggrandizement of executive power and finalization of sometimes hastily made decisions by the prime minister and his cabinet.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Health Systems in Transition
    61575 Latvia HiT_2_WEB.pdf 1 03/03/2020 09:55 Vol. 21 No. 4 2019 Vol. Health Systems in Transition Vol. 21 No. 4 2019 Health Systems in Transition: in Transition: Health Systems C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Latvia Latvia Health system review Daiga Behmane Alina Dudele Anita Villerusa Janis Misins The Observatory is a partnership, hosted by WHO/Europe, which includes other international organizations (the European Commission, the World Bank); national and regional governments (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Kristine Klavina Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the Veneto Region of Italy); other health system organizations (the French National Union of Health Insurance Funds (UNCAM), the Dzintars Mozgis Health Foundation); and academia (the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the Giada Scarpetti London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)). The Observatory has a secretariat in Brussels and it has hubs in London at LSE and LSHTM) and at the Berlin University of Technology. HiTs are in-depth profiles of health systems and policies, produced using a standardized approach that allows comparison across countries. They provide facts, figures and analysis and highlight reform initiatives in progress. Print ISSN 1817-6119 Web ISSN 1817-6127 61575 Latvia HiT_2_WEB.pdf 2 03/03/2020 09:55 Giada Scarpetti (Editor), and Ewout van Ginneken (Series editor) were responsible for this HiT Editorial Board Series editors Reinhard Busse, Berlin University of Technology, Germany Josep Figueras, European
    [Show full text]
  • THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH Department for External Church Relations
    THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH Department for External Church Relations His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with President of the Latvian Republic Valdis Zatlers On 20 December 2010, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church met with the President of the Latvian Republic, Valdis Zatlers. The meeting took place at the Patriarch's working residence in Chisty sidestreet, Moscow. The Latvian President was accompanied by his wife Ms. Lilita Zatlers; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Latvian Republic to the Russian Federation Edgars Skuja; head of the President's Chancery Edgars Rinkevichs; state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andris Teikmanis; Riga Mayor Nil Ushakov; foreign relations advisor to the President, Andris Pelsh; and advisor to the President, Vasily Melnik. Taking part in the meeting were also Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations; Metropolitan Alexander of Riga and All Lat via; and Bishop Alexander of Daugavpils. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Latvian Republic A. Veshnyakov and the third secretary of the Second European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs S. Abramkin represented the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia cordially greeted the President of Latvia and his suite, expressing his hope for the first visit of Valdis Zatlers to Moscow to serve to the strengthening of friendly relations between people of the two countries. His Holiness noted with appreciation the high level of relations between the Latvian Republic and the Russian Orthodox Church. "It is an encouraging fact that the Law on the Latvian Orthodox Church has come into force in Latvia in 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Yale Medicine Magazine
    yAn appale for Lyme A food m desert on edicineMixing medicine autumn 2010 disease Whalley Avenue and business 5 6 18 Women in medicine and the “glass ceiling” 12 autumn 2 0 1 0 yale medicine autumn 2 0 1 0 CONTENTS 2 Letters 4 Chronicle 8 Books & Ideas 0 1 Capsule 12 Improving the lot of women in medicine In many areas women at the School of Medicine fare better than counterparts around the country, but hidden biases remain. By Jill Max 18 When medicine meets the business world Yale alumni heal the sick—not at the bedside one by one but in the boardroom by the thousands. By Jenny Blair 24 Faculty 6 2 Students 8 2 Alumni 2 3 In Memoriam 3 3 End Note on the cover Joanne Weidhaas juggles a dual career as a physician- scientist, plus a family life that includes a husband and three children. Growing up with a twin brother, Weidhaas never thought that men and women might be treated differently. this page Weidhaas’ work as a clinician informs her research as a scientist. One question that moved from the bedside to the lab is why some people get cancer and others don’t. Weidhaas recently discovered a genetic marker associ- ated with increased risk of ovarian cancer and worse outcomes. Photographs by Julie Brown 2 letters Only one take on this elderly woman had brought a it was not reachable. Wood asked health care? stranger into her house and cared Cushing how long the procedure Are we to believe from the article for her for the past five years in was going to last.
    [Show full text]
  • GENERAL ELECTIONS in LATVIA 17Th September 2011
    GENERAL ELECTIONS IN LATVIA 17th September 2011 European Elections monitor The opposition party, Harmony Centre, comes out ahead in from Corinne Deloy the general elections Translated by Helen Levy On 17th September a leftwing party came out ahead in the general elections in Latvia for the first time since 1991, the year in which the country recovered independence. Harmony Centre (SC) won 28.37% of the vote and 31 seats in parliament (+ 2 in comparison with the previous election on 2nd RESULTS October 2010). Harmony Centre took the lead over the Zatlers’s Reform Party (ZRP), a rightwing group founded by former President of the Republic (2007-2011) Valdis Zatlers, which won 20.82% of the vote and 22 seats and Unity (V), the party of outgoing Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, which won 18.83% of the vote and 20 seats (- 13). The centre-right also emerges strengthened after these elections and should be able to form a government. National Alliance–All for Latvia, a new party that was formed after the merger of the Union for the Fatherland (TB/LNNK) and the far right party, All for Latvia (VL) is the other winner in this election. It has clearly gained ground coming fourth with 13.88% of the vote and 14 seats (+ 6), just ahead of the Greens and Farmers Union (ZSS), a member of the outgoing government coalition, which won 12.22% of the vote and 12 seats (- 9). The other parties, including the People’s Party (TP) led by businessman and former Prime Minister (1995-1997 and 1999-2000) Andris Skele Latvia’s First-Latvia’s Way (LPP-LC), led by Ainars Sle- sers did not manage to rise above the 5% threshold of votes cast, which are vital to be represented in the Saeima, the only chamber of Parliament.
    [Show full text]
  • Latvia Towards Europe: Internal Security Issues
    North Atlantic Treaty Organization Andris Runcis LATVIA TOWARDS EUROPE: INTERNAL SECURITY ISSUES Final Report The preparation of this Report was made possible through a NATO Award. Rîga, 1999 1 Content Introduction 3 1. The basic aspects of a country’s security 5 2. Latvia’s security concept 8 3. Corruption 10 4. Unemployment 17 5. Non-governmental organizations 19 6. The Latvian banking system and its crisis 27 7. Citizenship issue 32 Conclusion 46 Appendix 48 2 Introduction The security of small countries has been a difficult problem since ancient times. Now, when the Cold War has ended and Europe has moved from a bipolar to a multipolar system, when the communist system in Eastern Europe has collapsed and the Soviet empire has disintegrated – processes which have led to the appearance of a series of new and mostly small countries in Europe – we are witnessing a renaissance of small countries in the international arena. Since regaining independence Latvia’s general foreign policy orientation has been associated with integration into European economic, political and military structures where full membership in the European Union (EU) is the cornerstone. The issue has been one of the most consolidated and undisputed on the country’s political agenda. Latvian politicians have stressed the country’s wish to become a member state of the European Union. On October 14, 1995, all political parties represented in the Parliament supported the State President’s proposed Declaration on the Policy of Latvian Integration in the European Union. On October 27, Latvia submitted its application for membership to the EU.
    [Show full text]
  • Speaker of the Saeima, Two Deputy Speakers, a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary
    The Presidium of the Saeima The work of the Saeima is managed by the Presidium, which is elected by the Saeima at the beginning of its term of office. The Presidium of the Saeima consists of five members of the Saeima – the Speaker of the Saeima, two Deputy Speakers, a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary. Nominations for the positions in the Saeima Presidium are submitted by Saeima members in writing, and voting on the nominees for each position is held simultaneously by secret ballot and by using ballot papers. The nominee who receives the most votes is deemed elected; however, the number of votes should not be less than the absolute majority of votes of the members present. Members of the Presidium are usually elected from the ru- ling parties represented in the Saeima; however, the Speaker In order to coordinate the activities of parliamentary of the Saeima may also be elected from the party which has groups and political blocs, as well as to settle matters not gained the largest number of seats in the Saeima. which are not covered by the Rules of Procedure, the The Presidium of the Saeima determines the internal ru- Council of Parliamentary Groups is formed. It consists les of the Saeima, gives opinions on the documents sub- of the Saeima Presidium and one Saeima member from mitted and forwards these documents as prescribed by each parliamentary group and political bloc. Decisions of the Rules of Procedure, prepares the agenda of Saeima the Council of Parliamentary Groups are only advisory. sittings, as well as confirms planned business trips.
    [Show full text]
  • English Version Remains the Only Official Document Republic of Latvia Page: 2 Parliamentary Elections, 7 October 2006 OSCE/ODIHR Final Report
    Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights REPUBLIC OF LATVIA PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 7 October 2006 OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission Final Report Warsaw 8 February 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... 1 II. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 2 III. POLITICAL BACKGROUND................................................................................................................... 3 IV. ELECTION SYSTEM................................................................................................................................. 3 V. LEGAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................................................ 4 A. OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................... 4 B. CANDIDACY RIGHTS ................................................................................................................................ 4 1. Lustration Provisions........................................................................................................................... 4 2. Limitation on the Right of Individuals to Be Elected ........................................................................... 6 C. CITIZENSHIP
    [Show full text]
  • Latvia Country Report
    m o c 50 km . s p m a o m c 50 km - 30 mi . d s p © a m - 30 mi d © Valmiera Ventspils Cē sis Talsi Gulbene Sigulda Jū rmala Kuldī ga Tukums Riga Salaspils Madona Olaine Ogre Saldus Dobele Jelgava Liepā ja Jē kabpils Rē zekne Bauska Krā slava Republic of Latvia Daugavpils Country Report Table of contents: Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 2 Latvia’s transition to a Western-style political and economic model since regaining its independence in 1991 culminated in its 2004 accession to the EU and NATO. Overcoming an initial dependence on Russia, and various crises in the 1990s, Latvia has shown impressive economic growth since 2000. Read more. History ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Latvia lies between its fellow Baltic states of Estonia and Lithuania, with Belarus and Russia to the east. The USSR annexed the country in 1940 and the Nazis occupied it during World War II. Up to 95% of the country’s Jewish population perished in the Holocaust. Read more. Domestic Situation .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Latvia is a stable parliamentary democracy ranked as “free” by Freedom House. Its constitution guarantees basic civil liberties that the government recognizes in practice. The
    [Show full text]
  • BRUSSELS FORUM 2009 20 Years After the Fall of the Iron Curtain
    BRUSSELS FORUM 2009 20 Years after the Fall of the Iron Curtain Anne Applebaum The Washington Post I was once told never to do this in front of a microphone because it makes a very annoying sound, but I think maybe my microphone is far enough away. Thank you very much for inviting me. Thank you all for being here. As you know from your programs, this is the panel entitled “20 Years after the Fall of the Iron Curtain.” What that means, for those of you who were here in this morning's panel with Minister Lavrov, that on this panel you are allowed to talk about history. You are, indeed, encouraged to talk about history, particularly because if there is a part of the world in which perceptions of the past shape the present, and continue to shape contemporary politics more than this one, more than Central Europe, then I don't know what it is. Although I don't expect we're going to argue over details, sometimes it is important to get to the bottom of what really happened, what we really did and what took place over the last two decades in order to explain the present. I will start by making a few remarks of my own, and then I will introduce our extremely distinguished panel who, among them I tried to count - not very successfully - but they have something like 120 years of experience in public office. All of them are very distinguished. All of them remember 1989 and will be able to talk about it very well.
    [Show full text]
  • The Possibility to Create Large-Scale Regional Governments in Latvia
    Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Co-operative Action Programme on Local Development Economic and Employment Development EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE IN LATVIA Radisson SAS Daugava 24 Kugu Street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia 18 January 2005 The Possibility to Create Large-scale Regional Governments in Latvia by Ligita Začesta, Assist. Professor at Vidzeme University College and Maris Pūis, Assist. Professor at the University of Latvia The topicality of the theme is connected with the prolonged period of decision-making during which no answer has been given to the question – whether to establish the large-scale regional governments in Latvia or not. The aim of this paper is to evaluate why previous efforts to establish such type of self-government were not successful, as well as to offer a solution of the problem. This paper describes the main interest groups connected with the regional reform, the analysis of the influence of economic, social and political aspects on the establishment of regional governments of larger scale is carried out, as well as comparison with the tendencies in the countries of the European Union (EU) is made. INTRODUCTION Although the necessity of the regional reform has been recognised already in “The Concept of Self- Government Reforms”, elaborated in 1993 (The Cabinet of Ministers, 1993), also the law “On Administrative Territorial Reform”, adopted in 1998 (the Saeima (the Parliament), 1998) provided for the establishment of such a kind of local governments, as well as the Declaration of the Cabinet of Ministers of 2004 envisaged the creation of large-scale regional governments - still the political decision has not been adopted.
    [Show full text]
  • Latvijas Ārlietu Simtgade
    LATVIJAS ĀRLIETU SIMTGADE I SĒJUMS: IDEJAS UN PERSONĪBAS LATVIJAS ĀRLIETU SIMTGADE I SĒJUMS: IDEJAS UN PERSONĪBAS LATVIJAS ĀRLIETU SIMTGADE I SĒJUMS: IDEJAS UN PERSONĪBAS Latvijas valsts simtgade ir lielisks iemesls atskatīties uz valsts paveikto – ar lepnumu par daudzajiem sasniegumiem un paškritisku skatu uz to, kas vēl jāpadara. Šī ārlietām veltītā projekta pirmais sējums aplūko galvenos idejiskos strāvojumus Latvijas ārpolitikā un nozīmīgākās personības, kas ir tos attīstījušas. Latvijas un ārvalstu ekspertu komanda aplūko svarīgākās tendences Latvijas ārlietās Starpkaru periodā un mūsdienās, kā arī pievēršas ārpolitiskajai domāšanai trimdas un Atmodas periodā. Autori: Aldis Austers, Edijs Bošs, Raimonds Cerūzis, Mārtiņš Daugulis, Martins Hausdens, Ivars Ījabs, Didzis Kļaviņš, Andis Kudors, Džordans T. Kuks, Andrejs Plakans, Diāna Potjomkina, Gunda Reire, Andris Sprūds, Valters Ščerbinskis, Jānis Taurēns Redaktori: Diāna Potjomkina, Andris Sprūds, Valters Ščerbinskis Zinātniskie recenzenti: Ainārs Lerhis, Toms Rostoks Projektu atbalsta Latvijas Republikas Ārlietu ministrija un Latvijas Republikas Saeima Projekts tapis sadarbībā ar Nacionālo informācijas aģentūru LETA Par rakstu saturu atbild to autori. Autoru viedoklis nav uzskatāms par Latvijas Ārpolitikas institūta, projekta atbalstītāju un partneru, citu pārvaldes iestāžu vai struktūru viedokli. Vāka dizains: Līga Rozentāle Makets: Oskars Stalidzāns Tulkojumi no angļu valodas: Alise Krapāne Latviešu valodas redaktore: Līga Bērziņa ISBN 978-9984-583-85-3 © Rakstu autori, 2016 UDK
    [Show full text]
  • STARPZIŅOJUMS “Administratīvo Resursu Izmantošanas Novērošana Pirms 9.Saeimas Vēlēšanām”
    STARPZIŅOJUMS ªAdministratīvo resursu izmantošanas novērošana pirms 9.Saeimas vēlēšanāmº 2006.gada septembris 1 Saturs 2 Kopsavilkums Šā gada veiktās novērošanas rezultāti liecina, ka pa šo laiku ievērojami augusi politiķu un sabiedrības izpratne par valsts un pašvaldību resursu izmantošanas negodīgumu vēlēšanās. Tomēr 2006.gada pētījuma rezultāti liecina, ka arī šajās vēlēšanās administratīvo resursu izmantošana ir uzskātama par nopietnu problēmu, kas kropļo politisko konkurenci. Šajā priekšvēlēšanu kampaņā veiktie novērojumi liecina, ka valdošie politiķi savtīgiem nolūkiem visvairāk ir izmantojuši institucionālos resursus, t.i., institūcijas un amata pienākumu pildīšanai paredzētos resursus. To vidū plašāk izplatītie gadījumi saistīti ar priekšvēlēšanu aģitācijas pasākumiem valsts un pašvaldību iestādēs un valsts/ pašvaldību uzņēmumos. Cita no līdz šim mazāk izplatītām formām, taču arī īstenota uz valsts resursu rēķina, ir pseidoaptauju veidošana, kuras formālais mērķis ir uzklausīt sabiedrības viedokli. Tā piemēram, divi ministri, izmantojot savu nozares vadīto ministriju aktivitātes, izvērsa sava tēla spodrināšanas kampaņu, pievienojot anketām ministra foto vai arī īsu aprakstu par ministra dzīves gājumu. Tomēr visplašāk no institucionālo resursu klāsta šajā priekšvēlēšanu kampaņā tika manipulēts ar publiskam amatam piesaistīto autoritāti. Publiskā amata autoritāte ± vairāk izmantotais resursu veids Publiskā amata autoritāte ir ietekmīgs resurss, ko persona iegūst, stājoties amatā. Proti, šī autoritāte ir piederīga nevis personai, bet gan amatam, kas piešķir personas darbībām leģitimitāti un uzticību. Lai arī šo resursu veidu dažkārt ir grūti kvantitatīvos rādītājos izteikt, taču tā ietekme var būt daudz lielāka, kā citu resursu savtīga izmantošana. Amata autoritāte ir arī pamatā tam, kādēļ valdošo partiju pārstāvjiem jau a priori ir priekšrocība pār opozīcijas partijām vai ārpus varas esošajām partijām. Ja amatpersonas to izmanto savtīgos nolūkos, tad tiek iedragāts vienlīdzīgu vēlēšanu princips un sabiedrības leģitimitāte valsts varai.
    [Show full text]