Helmanis has been nominated for the role of deputy chair of the civil protection commission in Ogres, with support highlighting his significant experience in crisis management, particularly in Ukraine.
In Ogres, the head of the Strategic Planning Department, Jānis Eglīts of the National Alliance, has nominated Helmanis to serve as the deputy chair of the civil protection commission. Eglīts emphasized Helmanis's invaluable experience gathered both from his work in Ukraine and over eight years in Ogres, suggesting that his knowledge would greatly benefit the civil protection efforts. Helmanis was notably absent from the committee meeting as he was on a mission to Ukraine delivering assistance, which reflects his ongoing commitment to crisis response.
During the committee meeting, opposition deputy Santa Ločmele from the 'For!' party raised concerns about potential reputational risks associated with Helmanis's appointment. She questioned whether the municipality had fully assessed these risks, especially since Helmanis had not applied for state secrets clearance. The response from the committee was that no such risks existed, but Ločmele contested this assertion, alluding to historical events from over 30 years ago that could undermine the confidence in Helmanis’s nomination.
This discussion has reignited debates regarding transparency and accountability in the local government, particularly surrounding appointments to critical positions such as that of the civil protection commission. The differing views between the ruling coalition and the opposition suggest that while there is support for Helmanis’s experience, there are also significant concerns regarding the implications of his past and the municipality's due diligence in this sensitive matter.
