Decisions regarding the "construction of the century" Rail Baltica are expected in a month — in mid-September. Participants in the discussion acknowledged that a certain kind of apathy has set in, as conclusions have been drawn for years, stating that it is "not good," but no significant changes follow. Latvia has agreed to look for budget items that can be cut. Nothing has changed regarding the fact that Rail Baltica trains will bypass Riga, and it will be necessary to figure out how passengers will get to the capital. There are also no significant changes in expenses: the costs for the first stage amount to 6 billion euros, while the state has managed to mobilize about 1.5 billion. In the most optimistic scenario, if it is possible to mobilize a total of 2 billion in the upcoming multiannual EU budget, Latvia will still have to cover the remaining amount. No one, especially on the eve of elections, wants to openly say that it will likely be necessary to take another loan of 1.5-2 billion. "What angered me the most this week was Kozlovskis's quote that 'we have not discarded this 'Riga Arc' plan anywhere,' but it is clear that the first stage is what it is. There will be no second stage. Ever. This 'golden pile' on the Daugava will stand for another hundred years. If someone imagines that we will create a route passing through Latvia, and then in the second stage connect Riga, there will be no second stage. When someone manages (if they manage) the first stage, that is how the project will look. No one will bother with the second," predicts TV3 journalist Ivo Butkevich. As for airBaltic, podcast participants primarily recommend insuring their flights in case of cancellation. If the airline is declared bankrupt, the main goal of state policy will be a "soft landing." At this moment, Latvia is closer than ever to losing its airline, which is also not particularly needed by foreign investors. Given all these problems, it is quite predictable that when forming a new government, no one will want to head the Ministry of Transport.
