Taking into account the reforms that have already been carried out so far, there is no need to change the network of educational institutions in Jelgava, political forces running in the upcoming elections in the city told LETA in a survey. Politicians see opportunities to attract new pupils to Jelgava region's educational institutions.

Cooperation is possible with the neighboring Jelgava municipality, including on business development. At the same time, the city itself should work on attracting investors, the candidates said.

The city has 12 tickets of political forces with 169 candidates running for the elections. With 15 members to be elected, more than 11 people are standing for one seat. Party representatives admit that political forces with different ideologies could work together, but there are also "red lines".

Taking into account the parties' offer in the elections, do you see a possibility that the coalition in Jelgava City Council will again be formed by parties that do not cooperate at the national level?

Latvia First, Imants Konutis: Once the composition of the newly elected lawmakers is visible, we will form our future action plan to implement the promises made to the voters, which are included in our program. In the Jelgava unit of Latvia First, we will analyze which parties, how many representatives from each party and which personalities will be elected to the City Council. The candidates of each party are very different, and they express their positions already during the pre-election period. There are those who constantly sling mud at their competitors without even knowing them - we will be very careful with them.

We will invite all elected members to cooperate, including those who choose to be in opposition. If an opposition proposal is good, it will not be rejected just because it has been proposed by the opposition. It is important for us to work together to provide the best possible governance for our citizens.

Movement For!, Uldis Dumins: at the municipal level there are different types of cooperation than at the national level, because at the municipal level these are economic issues. Of course, there are extreme exceptions when this is not possible, but for state-minded parties cooperation is possible.

New Unity, Aigars Rublis: Yes, this is a possibility. But the most important thing at the moment is not to predict the distribution of seats, but to call on the people of Jelgava to be active and participate in the elections. Democracy starts with participation - with people not only talking about change, but also voting for it. Low turnout in the past created fertile ground for the victory of the Union of Greens and Farmerss, despite widespread dissatisfaction with the city's leadership. I therefore call on everyone to mobilize and use their vote.

National Alliance, Jurijs Strods: Of course, we will be able to judge the model of the new coalition after the municipal elections, but we have to admit already now that we see no obstacles to continuing cooperation with the existing partners. At the same time, we are open to expanding the coalition to include political parties whose ideology and actions do not contradict the basic principles of the National Alliance.

Latvian Association of Regions, Gunars Kurlovics: It is a common practice in local governments. Jelgava City Council is no exception. Some red lines still exist, however.

Union of Greens and Farmers, Andris Ravins: It is too early to talk about forming the coalition, because first the voters have to give a mandate to the political parties to work in the Jelgava City Council.

Harmony, Igors Orlovs: The coalition in Jelgava City Council will be formed by those political forces that will be able to find common points of contact and visions in solving the economic issues of Jelgava city, in the development and growth of the national city, regardless of the cooperation of parties at the national level.

Should the city expand its cooperation with Jelgava municipality? In which areas?

Latvia First: We definitely need to promote more cooperation between Jelgava and Jelgava municipality. Jelgava is naturally linked to the Jelgava municipality and this cooperation would be of great benefit to both the city and the region. Areas of cooperation could include culture, medicine, sport, social care, public transport, various infrastructures and municipal services, and much more. This would allow both cost optimization and higher standards.

Movement For!: We can see that the jointly created institution of Jelgava and Jelgava municipality - the birth registry office - is now functioning successfully. We should consider the possibility of similar cooperation with other municipal institutions, such as the education board, youth centers, the construction board, sports, culture. Combining functions can save resources for both municipalities.

New Unity: I definitely see the possibility of closer cooperation with Jelgava municipality. Administrative borders are artificial lines on a map, but people's everyday needs are common. By joining forces, it is possible to develop the territory as a whole, promoting sustainable growth and more efficient solutions. Key areas for cooperation are education, security and entrepreneurship - where common solutions can bring real and tangible benefits to both sides.

National Alliance: It has to be admitted that the cooperation with Jelgava municipality has not been simple, but there are areas where cooperation is taking place and has brought tangible benefits to the residents of both the municipality and the city, for example in the field of tourism. Constructive dialogue should certainly continue, especially if it is based on the willingness of both sides to cooperate.

Latvian Association of Regions: There is cooperation in civil protection, a joint registry office, education. There are many opportunities to expand cooperation to save resources - public utilities, public transport, social services, education.

Union of Greens and Farmers: Already now Jelgava city council and Jelgava regional council have established a joint registry office, a joint civil protection commission, a regional tourist information center. And cooperation should definitely be extended in areas where it is economically feasible and aimed at improving the quality of services for citizens. In view of the education reforms, closer cooperation in the field of education should certainly be promoted in the near future.

Harmony: It is vital for the city to expand cooperation with Jelgava municipality in the fields of education, culture and sport. Cooperation in the implementation of economic projects, especially in the areas bordering the municipalities, such as the construction of joint infrastructure facilities, should also be promoted.

How do you plan to attract new investors to the city?

Latvia Forst: To attract new investors, we will use the existing infrastructure and create a business-friendly environment. We will develop existing industrial parks and create new ones to create opportunities for industry and manufacturing. We will cut red tape by creating a one-stop office where officials come to the investor, instead of the investor walking around to different offices to coordinate his project.

Movement For!: The most important thing is to be visible in the international environment, for the council management to be fluent in foreign languages and to be prepared for investors to ask about the available infrastructure. The other key element is to be proactive, participating in various investor forums and presenting the city's infrastructure to potential investors.

New Unity: Attracting investors is a long-term investment in the future, and its success will depend on a focused and professional effort. The Zemgale Industrial Park plays a key role here - it is a ready-made platform where new companies can grow. I plan to develop a concrete investment attraction plan, which will include cooperation with the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), participation in international exhibitions and active positioning of Jelgava as an industrial and logistically attractive center. The municipality's support for entrepreneurs will also be important, with faster approval processes and close cooperation with educational institutions to ensure a skilled workforce. Only through synchronous action can we create an environment where investors feel welcome.

National Alliance: Attracting investors is one of the priorities of the municipality, which has already resulted in the implementation of several large-scale projects and the launch of new initiatives. Several projects are currently in progress, attracting close to EUR 300 million.

Latvian Association of Regions: Jelgava has serious problems attracting investors because it is passive. We would certainly change our approach. It is illusory to think that we will be able to create giant industrial plants in today's conditions. Those measures have failed. Knowing the specific territories and needs requires an active search for investors in line with economic trends - energy, IT technologies.

Union of Greens and Farmers: One of the key criteria for attracting investors is a well-organized business infrastructure. This year we have attracted the largest investment from European Union funds for the development of business infrastructure - almost EUR 20 million. The Zemgale Industrial Park is under construction. The municipality has already signed the first land lease agreements with investors who are ready to develop business in this industrial park. We can already say that business investment in setting up new production facilities in this industrial park will exceed EUR 100 million in the coming years.

We are also continuing to improve the infrastructure of Lielupe Industrial Park, where more than 20 companies are currently operating.

In total, more than 4,100 companies are currently registered in Jelgava. At the end of April, we opened a representative office of the Economics Ministry in Jelgava, which aims to promote economic growth in the region by fostering business development and attracting investment.

Harmony: It is possible to attract new investors to the city through the LIAA, in cooperation with foreign companies that serve as a bridge to markets in other countries, indirectly by promoting the opportunity locally, by strengthening the development of production technology parks.

Are there plans to build a bus station near the railway station?

Latvia First: Once the market project is completed, the site, which will include a supermarket, a cinema and a bus station, will be open to public consultation. If there are no major objections, the final stage of the design work will take place and construction can start.

Movement For!: Yes, that is the plan and it should be implemented in the next four years.

New Unity: I believe that the bus station area should be moved closer to the railway station, as this would be a logical and sustainable solution in terms of traffic organization. Such a relocation would facilitate more convenient and faster interchanges between modes, reduce congestion in the center and create a coherent mobility hub. It would also provide an opportunity to develop the existing bus station area for other important urban purposes, such as business or public uses.

National Alliance: The municipality is open to dialogue with the Transport Ministry, the Road Transport Directorate and other relevant state institutions on the role of the municipality and the necessary support for the development of the bus station, stressing that this service should be provided and maintained by the state and not be a financial burden for the municipality's citizens.

Latvian Association of Regions: This was the original plan, which has now been shelved. The result is a completely uncleared bus station on private land and the plan for a new one has not been implemented.

Union of Greens and Farmers: Yes, the construction of the bus station near the railway station is the next stage of the project, which will be developed by the private company JLa Developers alongside the market.

Harmony: Urban planning should provide for easy access to public facilities. In our view, a bus station on the site of the railway station will make it difficult for local residents and visitors to get around, especially for people with mobility problems. Such a project can only be implemented in the selected location if free 24-hour public transport is provided. It is unlikely that a bus station will be built near the railway station in the near future. The relocation of the bus station to the railway station could be supported provided that Jelgava City Council relocates there.

Should the network of local education institutions be reviewed?

Latvia First: A few years ago, an education reform was already carried out, which affected several schools in Jelgava. Now we should evaluate the pros and cons. In the short term, we should not make major changes, but solve the problems caused by the previous reform.

Movement For!: The network of educational institutions in Jelgava is relatively well organized. However, the situation needs to be assessed on an ongoing basis and, if necessary, revised further.

New Unity: I believe that there is no need to reduce the number of educational institutions at the moment. At the same time, a regional approach and joint planning can help to find sustainable solutions that improve both the flow of pupils and the quality of education across the territory.

National Alliance: The reorganization of the network of municipal educational institutions in Jelgava has already been carried out and successfully completed. At the same time, the municipality does not exclude the possibility of reassessing network optimization issues in the future, in line with current needs.

Latvian Association of Regions: This is not necessary at the moment.

Union of Greens and Farmers: We successfully optimized the Jelgava school network several years ago and now the city's school network is optimal. The only change that can be introduced is the optimization of the school network in Jelgava municipality schools, which could mean an increase in the number of pupils in Jelgava city schools.

Harmony: The network of municipal educational institutions has been revised and a potential operating model has been selected that will allow the institutions to develop smoothly and serve the demand in line with the population indicators.