Elksniņš returns as Daugavpils mayor

Take note – story published 5 years ago

Former Daugavpils Mayor Andrejs Elksniņš (Harmony party) was again elected mayor of Latvia's second-largest city on January 17.

The Latgale Party, one of the parties represented on Daugavpils City Council, previously said that Elksniņš and sacked mayor Rihards Eigims (Our Party) had set up a new coalition, but neither had said in advance of the vote that Elksniņš could be nominated for Daugavpils mayor.

Elksniņš was nominated for a dramatic return as Daugavpils Mayor by councilman Valerijs Kononovs (Harmony). Eight Daugavpils Council members voted for Elksnins, five voted against, and two did not vote.

Former Daugavpils Mayor Janis Lāčplēsis from the Latgale Party believes that Elksniņš becoming mayor will not change anything in the city, and a snap election is necessary in Daugavpils. He believes that the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry could support his position as he believes that Daugavpils City Council continues to take unlawful decisions.

Elksniņš was the mayor of Daugavpils from June to September 2017 but was then toppled when other parties ganged up on him and installed Eigims in his place. But on Thursday the tables were turned following Eigims' dismissal late last year.

As reported, Daugavpils City Council's coalition disbanded on November 22 when then-Mayor Eigims was dismissed, and Igors Prelatovs (Our Party) became the acting council chairman.

However, Elksniņš is not without concerns of his own. As recently reported by LSM, his name has cropped up in connection with a controversial case involving an alleged attempt to bribe an anti-corruption official.

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