"Occupiers' monument" in Pardaugava will be dismantled - president

• Published date: 18 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

The "occupiers' monument" in Pardaugava, Riga, will be dismantled, President Egils Levits repeatedly confirmed following a meeting with Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) on Wednesday.

The president also noted that both the prime minister and he believe that the monument to the Soviet Army must not remain in Pardauaga and has to be removed.

The president indicated that draft legislation has been submitted to the Saeima so that the monument could be dismantled as soon as possible. The best way to remove the memorial will be sought in the process of the bill's adoption, the president said.

"At any rate, the bill's adoption must not be hurried, as this would cause new problems, but there should not be delays either. The "occupiers' monument must be dismantled, and later it will be necessary to look what to do with similar monuments elsewhere in Latvia," the president said, reiterating that currently the main problem in the monument in Pardaugava.

Several companies have already volunteered to help organize the removal of the Soviet-era monument, Aleksis Zoldners, an advisor to Riga Mayor...