RIGA, June 17 (LETA) - Raimonds Cudars (New Unity), who has been nominated for the post of Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development, will make the regional development of Latvia's eastern border region one of his priorities.

The minister-designate told LETA that tomorrow, June 18, he is scheduled to hold talks with several Saeima opposition factions. However, by mid-day on Tuesday, not all factions had expressed such a wish. However, Cudars hopes to speak with MPs from the Latvia First and Stability factions.

When he becomes a minister, Cudars' first priority will be to tackle the technical problems on the recent local government elections. "The public is waiting for an answer as to why this happened in these elections and what needs to be done to prevent this kind of problem from happening again," said Cudars. That is why he is waiting for the completion of the inspection, which was initiated by the previous Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development Inga Berzina (New Unity), to see if and what decisions should be made about it. These include whether the currently suspended Director of the National Digital Development Agency, Jorens Liopa, should possibly be dismissed altogether or reinstated.

Cudars stressed that the electoral system must be fully credible so that next year's parliamentary elections can be ensured without problems.

As for his immediate priorities as a minister, he highlighted the issues related to the changes in classified information. For the first time, municipal council chairs and their deputies will also be required to have security clearances. If a local government official is not granted such a clearance, the Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development will have to decide on his or her removal, explains Cudars.

He also highlights the regional development of the country's eastern border region as important work as minister. "It is important to ensure that this region at least keeps pace with the rest of the country," Cudars said.

As reported, New Unity has nominated an MP, former Climate and Energy Minister Raimonds Cudars for the post of the Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) has announced.

The prime minister also pointed out that Cudars has experience in local government as the long-serving mayor of Salaspils. He has worked both as a minister and as an MP, and has a good knowledge of the areas of the Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry.

Silina and Cudars have agreed on priorities - the development of digital and artificial intelligence, the evaluation of the electoral process and preparations for the parliamentary elections, the strengthening of the eastern border and regional development.

LETA learned that Cudars' candidacy will be put forward for approval at the meeting of the Saeima on Thursday, June 19.

LETA also reported, Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Inga Berzina (New Unity), resigned from her post after taking political responsibility for the problems during the local elections.