- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Riga’s Mayor Survives Confidence Vote Amid Corruption Scandal

© AP Photo / Roman KoksarovNils Usakovs, Mayor of Riga, Latvia's capital.
Nils Usakovs, Mayor of Riga, Latvia's capital. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
RIGA (Sputnik) – Riga’s mayor Nils Usakovs has survived the confidence vote he had initiated after the arrest of high-ranked officials from the municipally-owned monopolist transport operator on corruption charges, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

On Thursday, several employees of Rigas Satiksme, which is controlled by the mayor’s office, were arrested, which prompted the company’s five-member board to resign.

McDonald's fast food restaurant. (File) - Sputnik International
Car Rams Into McDonald's in Latvian Capital of Riga (PHOTO)
On Friday, 32 out of 60 municipal councillors supported Usakovs while opposition politicians left before the vote began.

According to local media, Usakovs initiated the vote in order to receive the mandate from municipal councillors to suspend suspicious procurement procedures, boost control over major projects and implement reforms.

READ MORE: Thousands Rally in Riga Against Switching Russian-Language Schools to Latvian

The vote also followed the collection of signatures in support of Usakovs' resignation by opposition councillors.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала