Before the elections, parliamentarians will hold three more plenary sessions — so it is possible that the opposition will demand the resignation of several more ministers. Especially considering that there are justified complaints against almost every minister. ## "Healthcare in the Country is a Catastrophe!" But let's return to yesterday's plenary session. "Healthcare in the country is in a catastrophic state!" — stated a representative of the opposition. "State funding for healthcare in Latvia is among the lowest in the European Union. Waiting times for specialists and examinations often reach several months and even years. There is a severe shortage of doctors and nurses. The number of nurses per thousand residents is almost half that of the average in OECD countries, and the situation in the regions is particularly critical. Funding for regional and local hospitals was cut in 2026, in some cases by 8–20 percent. The operation of round-the-clock operating rooms, obstetric and trauma departments is at risk. Hospitals are overloaded. Ambulance teams sometimes wait for hours to admit patients. This situation is not accidental — it is a systemic failure for which the Minister of Health bears political responsibility. In Latvia, the healthcare system has reached a point where it can no longer guarantee what would be taken for granted in a civilized European country — timely, accessible, and quality medical care. And today we are no longer talking only about one patient who was transported from Liepāja to Jelgava with a stroke. We are not only talking about one child who had to wait 30 months for an appointment with a pediatric ophthalmologist. We are not only talking about a person after a heart attack or stroke who has to wait years for state-funded rehabilitation. And we are not only talking about the reduction of funding for the Riga Maternity Hospital by 750,000 euros. We are talking about one common problem. And for this system, the Minister of Health bears political responsibility!" — outlined the deputies' complaints against the head of the Ministry of Health, Hosam Abu Meri ("New Unity"). ## "Everything is Not So Bad!" At the meeting — though briefly — appeared the "main culprit" Hosam Abu Meri. Taking the opportunity, he responded to the dissatisfied. "Things are not so bad for us. We have two billion in the healthcare budget, and this money has been spent on treating the residents of Latvia. We have so many patients who are operated on every day, saved every day, who receive necessary treatment. We have so many people who, thanks to the healthcare system, are still living — happier and healthier. And therefore, to say that everything is bad is not true. I disagree with that because I also work in the system..." — said the Minister of Health, while admitting that the healthcare system lacks about 700 million euros to match the funding levels of other Baltic countries. In his response, the minister did not say whether healthcare would receive these missing funds next year. However, the deputies themselves understand: key budget decisions will be made by the next government and the next Saeima. For now, it remains only to state the fact. One way or another, it was clear that the ruling party would not give the opposition a free hand and support the resignation of the minister. Therefore, everything that happened yesterday in the Saeima should be perceived as an election game. ## To Be or Not to Be? Election games also concern the attempt by the "Progressives" party to remove the Minister of Education Ilze Indrikson from office for the fact that her ministry initiated a reform of the examination of 9th-grade students right at the beginning of the school year! "While preparing for this speech, I also watched the TV show 'What is Happening in Latvia?' yesterday. I was shocked that the coalition, the ministers of the government do not understand what they decided at the government meeting this week. So will there be a natural science exam or not? Mr. Jurevics quoted the Prime Minister, who said there would be one in the next school year. Ms. Indrikson suggested: no, it will be in this school year. We clearly understand that at parent meetings in classes and in teachers' speeches, it is said about the next school year. But Minister Indrikson does not know this. She thinks that the next year is 2027. The sun rotates, the moon rotates, different... monthly changes. Well, then in May there will be simple exams," — lamented a Saeima deputy who was a minister in the previous government. And indeed: will there be a new centralized natural science exam already in this school year, that is, in May 2027? Judging by the government's decision — yes! But such a reform without a transition period did not disturb the ruling deputies, and of course, they rejected the demand for the resignation of Ilze Indrikson (National Alliance).
