The Latvian Ministry of Finance has publicly refuted claims made by Alexander Bartaševičs, the suspended mayor of Rēzekne, regarding the recent decisions made by the Permanent Commission for Municipal Financial Stabilization. Bartaševičs, representing the political party 'Kopā Latvijai' (Together for Latvia), accused the Ministry of deliberately obstructing the municipal council's decisions, notably concerning the approval of the municipality's 2026 budget. He stated that the Ministry's objections were merely formal and that its actions were hindering the stabilization process crucial for Rēzekne's future governance and financial autonomy.

In a Facebook post, Bartaševičs argued that the delays imposed by the Ministry were strategic, aimed at maintaining control over Rēzekne after the stabilization process completes. This remark indicates a belief that the Ministry is overstepping its role and compromising local governance. However, the Ministry countered these allegations by reminding the public that Bartaševičs had not attended the commission meeting in question, which diminishes the credibility of his statements regarding the discussions held there.

Additionally, during the latest commission meeting, essential investment priorities for the Rēzekne municipality were discussed, with the highest priority given to a European Union co-funded industrial park project. The ongoing conflict highlights tensions between local authorities and central government bodies in Latvia, revealing broader issues of local governance, financial dependency, and political accountability in the context of municipal management.