Riga, May 21 (LETA) - The Constitutional Court's ruling that the Saeima dissolved the Rezekne City Council last year in accordance with the Constitution confirms that the dissolution of the council took place in the interests of the residents, said Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Inga Berzina (New Unity).

According to the minister, such a decision is a confirmation that the main task of a local government is to work in the interests of the residents of its administrative territory, ensuring democracy and the rule of law, the Public Relations Department of the Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry informed LETA.

"The Constitutional Court's ruling confirms that our actions in the case of Rezekne were timely, necessary and legally justified. Any municipality must act responsibly and lawfully in the interests of its residents, and with this decision we have protected the rights and well-being of both Rezekne residents and society as a whole," Berzina explains.

She also pointed out that the interim administration of the Rezekne municipality under the leadership of Guna Puce has so far managed to adopt a balanced budget for 2025, and already 2024 was closed by rearranging the budget and ending the year with the debts actually covered.

The SPA construction bills have been fully settled. The recommendations of the State Audit Office have been substantially implemented and work is continuing in close cooperation with the State Audit Office.

Despite the difficulties, an opportunity has been found to encourage productive investment by promoting projects related to the development of industrial zones. Work has been started to change the management model of the municipality's capital companies and properties.

As reported, the Saeima's decision to dismiss the Rezekne City Council last year has been in accordance with the Constitution, the Constitutional Court has ruled.

The court's ruling declares Article 1 of the Law on Dissolution of the Rezekne City Municipal Council to be compatible with Articles 1 and 101 of the Constitution.

The Constitutional Court concluded that the Rezekne City Council had systematically - both in the preparation and approval of the 2023 and 2024 budgets - violated the laws and regulations that lay down the basic requirements for municipal budgets. The city council has also engaged into commitments that exceeded its available financial resources and has delayed obtaining a public loan, thus creating the risk of new losses.

The judgment of the Constitutional Court is final.

It has also been reported that on June 20, 2024, the Saeima adopted the law on the dissolution of the Rezekne City Council in its final reading. With the dissolution of the City Council, the interim administration of the Rezekne City Council started its work.