Scandal-prone Jūrmala mayor keeps seat again

Take note – story published 5 years ago

With the votes of the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) and Harmony lawmakers, Jūrmala Mayor Gatis Truksnis (ZZS) has survived yet another no confidence vote at the Jūrmala council on December 18.

The no confidence vote was initiated by opposition councilors.

ZZS lawmaker Jānis Lejiņš said that despite the criminal charges brought against the Jūrmala mayor, the faction still believes that Truksnis is the best mayor Jūrmala has had. “Different charges have been pressed against him already since 2016, still, in 2017 residents elected him,” said Lejiņš, adding that his guilt has not been proven yet.

Jūrmala opposition lawmakers on December 7 called for another vote on confidence in Truksnis as the mayor. The previous time a no confidence vote on Truksnis was held was on October 8. Jūrmala municipality's opposition proposed a motion of no confidence against Truksnis on October 2, shortly after the media reported that the State Police had fined him for the possession of narcotics.

The coalition at the Jūrmala city council is formed by the Union of Greens and Farmers and Harmony. The opposition parties are the National Alliance and For You, For Jūrmala.

As reported, the Prosecutor General’s Office has brought criminal charges against Jūrmala Mayor Gatis Truksnis for illegal financing of the ZZS party on a large scale, and also for forging of documents and disposal of forged documents.

TV3's investigative news program Nekā Personīga said at the end of September that the State Police had fined Truksnis for the possession of narcotics. The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau found a needle with traces of cocaine and Truksnis' DNA on out while carrying out a search of possible illegal party financing involving ZZS and the For Latvia from the Heart parties.

A DNS analysis confirmed that Truksnis' DNA was on the needle and the police fined him €100 for possession of narcotics.

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