On Wednesday, the Riga City Council voted against four collective requests from local residents aimed at preserving four kindergartens: 'Margrietiņa', 'Zilbīte', and two others. These decisions followed a public petition campaign organized on the platform 'Manabalss.lv', which had actively collected signatures to prevent the closures. During the council meeting, which lasted nearly five hours, parents of the kindergartens' attendees voiced their concerns related to the planned reorganization, emphasizing potential stress and difficulties for the children and their families.

Opposition council members criticized the decision-making process, pointing out that they were not included in the commission that deliberated on the reorganization. They highlighted an earlier practice in which opposition representatives participated in similar committees, implying that their exclusion was unfair. Additionally, the council faced accusations for not only reducing the number of municipal kindergartens but also simultaneously increasing funding for private kindergartens, raising questions about the equity of the city's education system.

The rejection of these parental requests signifies a contentious situation within the Riga City Council regarding educational reforms, particularly concerning early childhood education. As the city moves forward with plans to restructure its educational network, the implications on children's well-being and accessibility to municipal services remain a critical concern for many residents.