Aleksandrs Bartaševičs, the ousted mayor of Rēzekne, argues that the Latvian government's task for ministries to draft a law ensuring state participation in the concert hall "Gors" amounts to confiscating municipal property.
In an interview with Latvijas Radio, Aleksandrs Bartaševičs, the recently ousted mayor of Rēzekne, criticized the Latvian government's directive for the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development to collaborate on a legal project addressing state involvement in the concert hall 'Gors'. He argues that this initiative effectively represents a coercive confiscation of property from the municipality, as significant local investments have already been made in this project.
Bartaševičs pointed out that around 20 million euros have been invested in the creation of 'Gors', and he sees the proposal for the state to take ownership of capital shares in the concert hall as a major affront to the residents of Rēzekne and the wider Latgale region. He expresses concern that this action might unfairly punish the municipality, undermining the efforts and resources that have been committed to the concert hall's development.
When asked how the government should effectively resolve the ongoing issues surrounding 'Gors', Bartaševičs referenced an alternative solution proposed by the Rēzekne city council's committee, which includes a delegated agreement. This response indicates a desire for constructive cooperation rather than state intervention in a project that he believes should remain under local jurisdiction.
