Saeima: D. Mieriņa says society expects visible value from every public euro

Public funds must deliver visible value for every euro spent as Latvia prepares to draft its upcoming state budget, Saeima reported on October 9, 2026. Opening the conference titled Smart Growth: Sustainable State Budget in the Digital Age, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa emphasized that budget opportunities remain perpetually limited while societal needs continue to grow. The conference was organized by the Saeima Budget and Finance (Taxation) Commission.

Priorities and Public Funds in the Digital Age

Mieriņa stressed that lawmakers must clearly define priorities and evaluate where invested funds generate the greatest public return. Saeima reported that the speaker called for moving beyond simple expenditure tracking to ensure tangible results from public spending. Mieriņa noted that the intense pre-election period has concluded and the 15th Saeima will soon convene for its first session to begin drafting the state budget. Priekšā ir daudz sarežģītu un vienlaikus ļoti svarīgu lēmumu, sacīja Saeimas priekšsēdētāja, kura atzīmēja, ka konference notiek neilgi pirms jaunā valsts budžeta veidošanas procesa sākuma.

To achieve fiscal sustainability, Mieriņa pointed to the growing role of digital solutions and artificial intelligence in state administration. Tieši tādēļ šodien arvien biežāk runājam par ilgtspējīgu budžetu, sacīja Saeima priekšsēdētāja, norādot, ka tas nozīmē valsts spēju ilgtermiņā finansēt savas saistības, vienlaikus saglabājot finanšu stabilitāti. Saeima indicated that these technologies help forecast development trends, analyze data, and improve planning, though Mieriņa cautioned that technology cannot replace human political responsibility. Mieriņa expressed the view that a sustainable budget requires long-term financial stability, responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds, and careful borrowing decisions.

Discipline and Growth in State Finances

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Budget and Finance (Taxation) Commission Chair Aiva Vīksna also opened the conference discussions. Vīksna stated that sustainable budgeting requires both expenditure discipline and a clear plan for economic growth, according to Saeima. Vīksna asserted that the state must build an environment where businesses can invest while courageously reviewing how public administration operates.

Previous legislative work under the 14th Saeima established regular spending reviews requiring ministries to evaluate expenditures at least once every four years. Panel discussions at the conference focused on fiscal sustainability, smart spending cultures, and transforming budget planning from routine processes into outcome-driven results. Participants included Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis, Bank of Latvia Governor Mārtiņš Kazāks, European Parliament Vice-President Roberts Zīle, and other financial and academic experts.

Saeima Examines AI to Streamline Public Administration

Discussions at the parliamentary conference centered on medium-term planning and public sector efficiency as lawmakers prepare for upcoming fiscal deliberations. Saeima noted that experts examined how artificial intelligence can streamline public administration and target resources toward security, development, and competitiveness.

These deliberations directly precede the formal drafting process for the next state budget by the newly convening 15th Saeima.