RIGA — Transport ministry State Secretary Nils Freivalds left his post Tuesday, officially by his own free will but there’s allegations it’s connected with the recent reshuffle of Latvijas Pasts’ board of directors.
Freivalds returned to the ministry Monday after a vacation and handed in resignation the same day. It was accepted by the government Tuesday.
Freivalds dismissed the board of Latvijas Pasts October 21. Since then one of the former board members Dita Danosa asked the Security Police to investigate Freivalds’ activities, alleging that Freivalds was damaging Latvian state interests by lobbying for the company Mono to develop banking services within Latvijas Pasts. The police are currently investigating.
Freivalds is viewed by some as a protégé of Riga Vice Mayor Ainars Šlesers, himself a former transport minister. Freivalds has been a member of Šlesers’ LPP/LC Party since 2004.
Freivalds was appointed transport ministry state secretary in March 2008. His contract was signed until 2013. Transport Minister Kaspars Gerhards told the press that he was basically satisfied with Freivalds’ work. According to Gerhards, Freivalds was responsible and with good education.
Transport ministry Deputy State Secretary Aivita Lublina-Goldmane is the now serving as acting state secretary.