Health Minister Pavļuts survives no confidence vote

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At its sitting on Thursday, September 16, the majority of the Saeima rejected a motion of no confidence submitted by several members of the opposition Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) party in the Minister of Health Daniels Pavļuts (Development/For!)

34 of 100 Saeima deputies deputies voted against Pavļuts, while 50 parliamentarians supported him. ZZS was joined by deputies from the opposition Harmony party, plus a sprinkling of currently unattached members.

ZZS co-chairman and Saeima deputy Edgars Tavars blamed Pavļuts for Latvia's low ranking among EU states in terms of vaccinating the population against Covid-19, suggesting policy over the wearing of face masks had been confusing, especially in schools, and other failings. His essential criticism amounted to a belief that Pavļuts' powers of persuasion had been insufficient to induce larger numbers of people to get vaccinated.

"Why do many not vaccinate against Covid-19? Because they do not believe in the government, do not believe in politicians," said the ZZS politician.

 So far, 42% of the population in Latvia has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Pavļuts became Minister of Health in January this year after the resignation of his predecessor and party colleague Ilze Viņķele, who had faced some similar criticisms, but whose downfall was largely the result of perceived failings in vaccine procurement.

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