Latvia’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy and a government “reset” initiated earlier this year have yielded limited results, according to political scientist Filips Rajevskis. Public dissatisfaction with the current government is reflected in declining political party ratings, despite attempts to appease voters with increased spending.
Initial Attempts to Reduce Bureaucracy
A working group led by State Chancellery Director Raivis Kronbergs and Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Aigars Rostovskis previously proposed 21 measures to streamline public administration. While the implementation of these proposals is debated, it represented a first step in addressing the issue, Rajevskis explained.
Endziņš’s Ambitious Plan
Jānis Endziņš, head of the latest task force created on October 22nd, aims to implement 120 smaller measures by 2026. Rajevskis noted that addressing these “small things” is often the most challenging aspect of bureaucratic reform, as evolutionary solutions to niche problems are frequently more effective than sweeping changes.
Government “Reset” Falls Short
The government’s “momentum and restart” plan, unveiled in February, included a “4×4 plan,” but ultimately resulted in internal coalition conflicts and a difficult-to-pass budget. Political party ratings have “collapsed across the board,” indicating widespread public dissatisfaction.
The “reset” largely involved ministerial reshuffles, including the replacement of Kaspars Briškens with Atis Švinka at the Ministry of Transport, Uldis Augulis with Reinis Uzulnieks at the Ministry of Welfare, and Anda Čakša with Dace Melbārde at the Ministry of Education and Science. Rajevskis suggested that the changes involving Melbārde and Uzulnieks appeared to be more politically motivated than performance-based.
The Impact of Small Issues
Rajevskis agreed that citizens often experience bureaucracy through frustrating personal encounters, emphasizing the importance of addressing these smaller issues that significantly impact quality of life. Identifying these problems, which often affect only specific groups, will be a key challenge for Endziņš’s team.
“It’s possible to satisfy many micro-audiences, but they first have to be identified, and results must be delivered,” Rajevskis said, expressing skepticism about the feasibility of implementing 120 measures given Latvia’s “sluggishness” and “weak execution.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 parliamentary elections, Rajevskis anticipates the ruling coalition will attempt to win favor with populist, voter-friendly decisions. However, the recent budget, characterized by increased borrowing and spending, has failed to resonate with the public, suggesting politicians must reassess their strategies.
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