The article outlines the absenteeism statistics for members of the Riga City Council, focusing on Mairis Briedis, an independent council member, who has notably missed several meetings since the council resumed last June. Specifically, Briedis was absent from five council meetings, which is significantly higher than other members. His pattern of absenteeism raises concerns about his engagement and representation within the council.

Additionally, the article mentions Sergejs Dolgopolovs from the "Latvia First" party, who has also missed four meetings last year and one this year, indicating a similar trend of attendance issues among members of the council. Another independent member, Valērijs Petrovs, has missed five meetings in total. The article underscores that during this council term there have only been three meetings attended by all members, reflecting ongoing challenges in council participation.

The implications of such absenteeism are significant for the governance of Riga, as the effectiveness of the City Council is directly impacted by the engagement of its members. Regular absences can hinder important decision-making processes and diminish public confidence in elected officials. The article calls attention to the need for increased accountability and involvement from council members to better serve their constituents.