In pre-election campaigns before the European Parliament (EP) elections, politicians tend to promise things that are not at all within the competence of the EP, like pensions and roads, Edgars Rinkēvičs said.
"Our politicians do sin - they are trying to state that electing [them] to the European Parliament will solve road problems. Yes, there is some impact there in terms of the European budget. But there are many things they promise to address in the European Parliament that do not fall within the competence of the European Parliament. Lie once, lie a second time, the third time people just say, why vote, we don't really see the point because you haven't fulfilled what you promised."
Rinkēvičs asks politicians not to exaggerate and explain to voters what can and cannot be done in the EP.
The President also urges those with the right to vote to "find those few minutes on June 8, go and vote" because a number of things are still in the hands of MEPs, like sanctions, strengthening security, and discussing the next budgetary framework.
European elections in the Member States of the European Union will take place from June 6 to 9.
Latvia will have nine deputy seats in the next European Parliament instead of the current eight.
The European elections in Latvia will take place on June 8. 16 party lists have applied.
