RIGA, Feb 18 (LETA) - Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) expects local governments to become more actively involved in addressing the issue of high energy bills this winter.

In an interview with TV3 this morning, Silina said that winter in Latvia should come as no surprise, but that it has not been this harsh in a long time, so she agrees that support for households should be increased this winter.

The politician believes that local governments should be more actively involved in addressing this issue, as helping their residents is the primary task of local governments.

Speaking about proposals to expand the availability of housing benefits, Silina noted that the first option put forward by the Ministry of Welfare was not agreed upon by the parties involved, and therefore did not receive support, and in the second option, the coefficient applicable to the benefit was significantly reduced.

In the Prime Minister's assessment, the Union of Greens and Farmers has made many different statements on the issue of bills, without coordinating them with anyone, and the government now has to "deal with them." Economics Minister Viktors Valainis (Greens/Farmers) has also announced that penalties will be lifted for late payment of bills, but so far nothing has been introduced.

Assessing the progress of the Rail Baltica railway project, the Prime Minister expressed the view that supervision of the project has been improved, as evidenced by the replacement of a number of direct managers and even three ministers.

The PM pointed out that Rail Baltica has attracted international auditors who will show "where the money is going" and help to organize the project management.

When asked whether the Rail Baltica tracks in Latvia will be completed in 2030, Silina replied that she did not know.