Latvian Immigration Life: The Public Administration and Local Government Committee of the Saeima (Saeima) and the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Juris Pūce, discussed the new administrative and territorial division plan proposed by the ministry.
Committee Chairman Sergejs Dolgopolovs stated that the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development has provided a detailed plan that can effectively improve municipal efficiency. The first option is to consolidate the administrative divisions into 49 counties and the existing 9 republic cities by 2021; the second option is to establish 29 regional development centers, allowing municipalities to freely merge to provide services to residents. During the committee discussion, representatives pointed out that the changes must take into account cultural and historical factors, as well as their role in the reform process in Latvia. The aforementioned plan will be submitted to the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers for review within one month.
Latvia is currently divided into 5 planning regions (Riga, Vidzeme, Kurzeme, Zemgale, and Latgale) and 1 republic city (Riga). Under the 5 regions, there are 8 towns and 110 counties.