Almost two months have passed since April 3, when the previous council chairman Madars Lasmanis (For Latvia's Development) announced his resignation. During the intervening period time, several council meetings, including emergency council meetings, were held, but the issue of who will be mayor was not included in them.
Also today, May 29, the regular council meeting was held – but the issue of who will head the council is not included on the agenda.
It is worth nothing that, slightly confusingly, Jelgava district municipality is separate from Jelgava city municipality which sits right in the middle of its territory. Notwithstanding that fact, the Jelgava district council headquarters is located in Jelgava city.
Council member Uldis Ainārs (New Unity) told LETA agency that while including such an issue on the agenda is Vītola's right, does not appear to have enough support from her colleagues to consider such an issue at the present time.
Also, according to the information available to Ainārs, the minimum required number of deputies would not be able to attend the council meeting in person for the election of the leadership, because several colleagues are abroad, so any vote would lack the necessary quorum.
Ainārs did not comment on whether he would support Vītola's candidacy, and also refused to comment on the information available to the LETA agency that his name is also among the possible candidates for the chairman of the council.
"I think preference is given to those who have the support of the majority of the population," councilor Oskars Cīrulis (National Alliance) commented. According to him, there are many conversations and rumors in the city council, but the election of the chair of the city council is hindered by the ambitions of possible candidates. They should be put aside, taking into account that the council will work for a fairly short term until the next municipal elections.
