Raimonds Čudars, the Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development in Latvia, has officially dismissed Aleksandrs Bartaševičs from his position as the mayor of Rēzekne. The dismissal is rooted in the fact that Bartaševičs did not hold the necessary security clearance required to access state secrets, which is essential for public officials in Latvia. According to information from Čudars' advisor, Sabīne Spurķe, the decision was made public through a decree published in the official gazette 'Latvijas Vēstnesis', effective immediately from that date.

Last week, the minister had already called for Bartaševičs' resignation due to the lack of a security clearance, yet the mayor had continued his duties despite these requests. Under the ministry's regulations, after being requested to resign, Bartaševičs was required to submit a written explanation to the minister within five working days, a deadline that expired on the same day the dismissal was announced. The lack of communication from Bartaševičs in response to inquiries from news agencies further highlights the tensions surrounding this decision.

The implications of this dismissal reflect the Latvian government's strict policies regarding security clearances for public officials, emphasizing the importance of maintaining access to classified information especially in roles of significant responsibility like that of a mayor. The situation may also deepen political divides given the mayor's affiliation with the 'Kopā Latvijai' party, and it raises questions about the potential impacts on local governance in Rēzekne moving forward.