RIGA, Oct 20 (LETA) - Ria Mayor Martins Stakis said that liquidation of the position of the third vice mayor in Riga can be discussed after the "tough winter is over".

The Harmony group at the Riga City Council has called on the council to liquidate the position of the third vice mayor.

One of Riga vice mayors, Edvards Smiltens (National Alliance, Latvia's Association of Regions) has been elected to the parliament, and thus, this would be a possibility to liquidate one vice mayor's position.

Stakis said in an interview with commercial TV3 television today that the third position of the vice mayor can be liquidated when the Riga City Council is able to work as usual and not in a crisis mode.

He said that, considering the load of work, vice mayors are helping him a lot. "Maybe we can speak about it after the long winter," he said.

By reducing the number of vice mayors, the Riga City Council would save up to EUR 200,000 a year.

After the Riga City Council elections, Martins Stakis (Progressives/For) was elected the mayor, and Vilnis Kirsis (New Unity), Linda Ozola (Conservatives) and Smiltens were elected vice mayors.