Lembergs joins the ranks of Latvia’s wealthiest pensioners

This summer criminally accused Aivars Lembergs officially reached pension age and joined the ranks of Latvia’s wealthiest pensioners. According to Lembergs, his pension is approximately EUR 6,000 per month.

On 26 June, Lembergs reached the established pension age in Latvia – 62 years and nine months. As journalists were told by Lembergs, his pension amount is approximately EUR 6,000 per month.

According to this year’s information for June, the largest pension in Latvia is approximately EUR 19,000. The two other largest pensions are significantly smaller – EUR 6,600 and EUR 6,500. This year’s three largest pensions provided in the first six months of 2016 are approximately EUR 3,100, EUR 2,900 and EUR 2,900. As explained by State Social Insurance Agency’s press secretary Iveta Daine, information for the first half-year does not include information about pension sizes of people who reached pension age at the end of June. This is because pension allocation is not carried out immediately. The process requires the recipient to settle the necessary formalities before pension can be paid.

When asked if reaching official pension age has changed anything in his daily life, Lembergs said: «I don’t believe this fact, and so I feel no changes. I will try not to allow myself to feel like a pensioner. I feel like I’m 25 and that I graduated from Latvia’s State University’s Economic faculty just recently. I feel there are many challenges before me.»

When asked about his future professional challenges, including any intentions to take part in next year’s Ventspils City Council elections, Lembergs noted that the list of candidates will be decided upon at the meeting of For Latvia and Ventspils party, which may take place in March next year. Each potential candidate, including Lembergs, will be analysed based on feedback from residents.

«If the meeting decides to add me to the list, I will not refuse such an opportunity. Even more so that there are new challenges, new [competitors’] names – one is more popular than the other. Enormous amounts have been allocated to sin me specifically. Saying no [to candidacy] would mean I’m scared,» – said Lembergs.

BNN had previously reported that the next municipal elections in Ventspils could be relatively interesting. Several political parties already plan to form joint candidate lists to accomplish changes in the city that has been ruled by Aivars Lembergs for the past 20 years.

Political forces plan to form joint candidate lists in order to bring change to the town that has been under Aivars Lembergs’ party For Latvia and Ventspils for the past twenty years.

Girts Valdis Kristovskis from Unity may become Lembergs’ competitor in the upcoming elections. It will be decided in the outcome of talks among different parties, as reported by Diena.

The fact that four political parties have begun talks in relation to a joint start in Ventspils elections was confirmed to Diena by representatives of the four parties: Juris Puce from Latvia’s Development, Bruno Jursevics from the National Alliance, Aivis Landmanis from the Regional Alliance and Dace Korna from Unity. She said: «We will meet on Wednesday and talk. It is clear that we won’t stay on the sidelines.»

According to representatives of political parties, preparations for elections have already begun in Ventspils. There are 13 seats in Ventspils City Council. For Latvia and Ventspils is represented in the city council with nine deputies, the Regional Alliance and Reform Party had previously gained two seats each and Harmony Centre and Unity both have one seat each.

BNN/LETA 

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