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FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RIGA 000002 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: EFIN ECON ECIN PGOV PREL SW LG
SUBJECT: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LATVIA'S 2010 BUDGET 
 
REF: A. RIGA 573 B. RIGA 611 C. RIGA 545 
 
RIGA 00000002  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
¶1. Summary:  Latvia's 2010 budget contains large across-the-board 
spending cuts and tax increases.  Since 2008, a massive economic 
slowdown has caused central government revenues to contract 26.6% -- 
government spending has fallen 17%.  As in 2009, payroll reduction 
rather than significant structural reform was again the most common 
cost cutting measure. The scale of expenditure cuts varied widely 
across ministries, with especially large reductions in the 
Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, as well as a massive 
funding reduction on the energy department within the Ministry of 
Economy.  The budget meets the conditions of the country's 
international assistance package, but amendments will be necessary 
to deal with the consequences of a Constitutional Court decision 
reversing pension reductions enacted in 2009 (ref B). End Summary. 
 
Running the Numbers 
------------------- 
 
¶2. Parliament (Saeima) passed the government's 2010 budget on 
December 1 (ref A). Latvia's consolidated general government budget 
revenue is projected at USD 9.867 billion and expenditure is 
programmed at USD 11.075 billion.  The 2010 budget deficit is 
estimated at 7.5% of GDP.  Compared to the 2009 budget, this 
represents a 2.1% drop in total revenue, including an 8% reduction 
in tax revenue, and a 6.6% reduction in total spending. The budget 
assumes a 4.0% contraction of real GDP in 2010 and a 3.7% fall in 
consumer prices. These figures are consistent with Latvia's 
international financial assistance obligations. 
 
¶3. To close the anticipated budget gap for 2010 this budget includes 
roughly USD 545 million in projected tax and non-tax revenue 
increases.  These measures include the introduction of a small 
progressive real estate tax, an increase in the personal income tax 
rate to 26% from 23%, and higher excise taxes on natural gas, 
cigarettes and alcohol. 
 
Deep Defense Cuts 
----------------- 
 
¶4. The magnitude of expenditure reductions across ministries varied 
widely.  Social safety net spending (disability, retirement 
pensions, unemployment benefits) was largely protected from deep 
cuts.  The Ministry of Defense faces one of the largest cuts. 
Defense spending in 2010 will be 1.13% of GDP or USD 279.704 
million, which is 22.3% less than in 2009 and constitutes a massive 
49.8% reduction compared to 2008. Payrolls costs have been trimmed 
by 43% from the 2008 level to USD 130.122 million, while 
expenditures for goods and services were reduced to USD 90.440 
million which is by 25% less against the 2009 level and by 56.6% 
against 2008. The State Security Protection program, which includes 
the military intelligence services, faces an 11.1% cut compared to 
2009 and a 16.2% cut compared to 2008 bringing its total budget down 
to USD 9.752 million. 
 
¶5. The Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) faces a 26.1% reduction 
in their budget compared to 2009 and a 52.4% cut compared to 2008, 
reducing its funding to USD 178.992 million. The largest cuts are 
related to equipment, uniform and inventory procurement, 
maintenance, long term development projects, air search and rescue 
efforts, the Coast Guard, and the Security Police, as well as health 
care costs. Most of the savings will come from a general 20% pay 
cut, eliminating over 160 positions and reductions in living 
expenses compensation. 
 
¶6. Budget reductions have forced the Latvian military to reduce its 
commitment in NATO Response Force-14 from an infantry company to a 
few staff officers.  But despite these cuts, Latvia has remained 
fully committed to continuation of its deployment of 170 troops in 
Afghanistan, and to a full program of joint exercises and training 
with the United States and its Baltic neighbors, Estonia and 
Lithuania. 
 
Foreign Affairs Cuts 
-------------------- 
 
¶7. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs budget next year will be USD 
52.042 million which is 12.8% lower than last year and 39% leaner 
than in 2008. Payroll will be reduced by an additional 22.5% in 2010 
and will have fallen 45.8% since 2008. The budget for diplomatic 
missions abroad has been trimmed by 14.9% and by a staggering 40.4% 
from the 2008 level. Funding for assistance to Moldova, Georgia, 
Ukraine and Belarus has been practically eliminated, with only USD 
1681.25 budgeted for 2010.  This constitutes a 99.9% reduction 
compared to 2008 when the budget was over one million dollars. 
Despite these cuts the MFA does not plan on closing any diplomatic 
missions abroad. 
 
Energy Department Cut 
--------------------- 
 
¶8. The Ministry of Economy's budget will be slashed by a massive 
74.4% in 2010 reducing it to USD 94.905 million; this constitutes 
 
RIGA 00000002  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
the largest ministerial reduction. The Ministry has undergone a 
significant restructuring. The budget of the Ministry's Energy 
Department, the principal energy policy body in Latvia, will be 
slashed 57.9% compared to 2009, and will be 82.2% lower than its 
2008 level, bringing its funding down to USD 1.154 million. However, 
the majority of the funding decrease for 2010 is explained by the 
completion a large scale EU co-financed geological exploration 
project for assessing additional underground natural gas storage 
potential. 
 
Cuts Here, There and Everywhere 
------------------------------- 
 
¶9. The Corruption Combating and Prevention Office's budget will be a 
modest 5% less than in 2009 and 33.1% smaller than in 2008. Roughly 
half of the cuts will be come from restructuring the office, 
reducing pay and eliminating positions. The Ombudsman's Office 
(which receives and resolves human rights and other public 
complaints) will face considerable cuts. Its 2010 budget has been 
trimmed by 38.2% relative to 2009 (-57.1% relative to 2008) (ref 
C). 
 
¶10. The Prosecutor General's budget will be 15.9% lower than in 2009 
(-34.8 against 2008). Funds will be cut at the expense of staff 
compensation, including the Prosecutor General. Funding for the 
Money Laundering Unit will contract by 5.8% (-25% relative to 
2008). 
 
¶11. The President's Chancery next year will be operating with a 7.2% 
lower budget than last year. However, the Parliament's budget will 
actually increase by 1% versus 2009. The small increase will finance 
the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. 
 
¶12. The budget for the Ministry of Health in 2010 will be USD 
904.260 million, which constitutes a 4.6% decrease compared to 2009 
(-24.8% against 2008). The Ministry's direct health care budget will 
be 11% less than in 2009 and 32.2% lower than in 2008. 
 
¶13. The Ministry of Education's funding in 2010 will be USD 404.589 
million, which is 7.5% reduction compared to 2009, and is 44.9% 
lower than the 2008 level.  As a result of ongoing reforms in 
education, the total wage bill will shrink by 26.1% compared to 2009 
and by a massive 74.4% compared to 2008 as teachers have faced 
severe wage contraction. 
 
¶14. The Justice Ministry's budget will decrease by 6.8% compared to 
2009 and by 19% compared to 2008 shrinking the total down to USD 
195.691 million. The Court system will receive 9.4% less funding 
than last year (21% less than in 2008). Pay reductions to judges, 
staff and position eliminations will trim the wage bill 15.5% 
against 2009 (-26% against 2008). 
 
¶15. The Ministry of the Interior faces an 11.6% cut compared to 2009 
(-33.8% compared to 2008). The total allocation will be USD 330.004 
million. The budget for the State Police will be 18.7% less than in 
2009 and 40.1% smaller than in 2008. The budget of the Security 
Police will shrink by 10.7% compared to 2009 (-36.8% relative to 
2008). The largest part of the cuts will affect pay. The State 
Border Guard will operate with 11.5% less funding next year (41.1% 
less than 2008). 
 
¶16. Revenues in the Special Social Security budget next year, which 
includes retirement, disability and unemployment benefits, amongst 
others, are projected at USD 2.477 billion which is 5.9% less than 
in 2009 (19% less than 2008). Expenditure (USD 2.831 billion) will 
be 7.5% lower than in 2009, but 11.3% higher than in 2008. The 
higher level of expenditure compared to 2008 is the result of 
additional spending due to the high level of unemployment. In total, 
the social security budget will be 11.4% of GDP. 
 
¶17. As passed by Parliament, USD 1.970 billion is to be allocated to 
financing retirement pensions.  However, the Latvian Constitutional 
Court's decision on December 21st that pension cuts implemented in 
July 2009 were unconstitutional (see reftel B) will necessitate 
amending the budget and, without significant action, will impact the 
government's budget deficit projection. 
 
¶18. COMMENT: Despite the massive expenditure reductions over the 
past two years, it is important to remember that the 2008 budget was 
bloated and unsustainable.  Excessive government spending during the 
2004-2008 boom period fueled a speculative overheating of the 
economy that led to a sharp 19% contraction of the economy in 2009. 
In order to restore the country's economic footing, the government 
needs meaningful structural reforms that improve efficiencies and 
smooth the delivery of services.  The budget cuts are painful but 
necessary measures to comply with the country's international 
assistance package.  Nonetheless, the ad hoc and rushed nature of 
the budget process thus far, primarily as a result of political 
squabbling, has led to an over-reliance on last minute, poorly 
planned and regressive expenditure cuts and tax increases, rather 
than serious reform.  This has led to public rebukes from the 
 
RIGA 00000002  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
Governor of the Bank of Latvia as well as the European Commission 
and, privately, by the IMF, which has stressed the need to ensure 
adequate progressive social protection given the severity of the 
economic decline.  There is still time to enact structural reforms 
with the EC expected to outline recommended measures in its amended 
MOU.  But with elections approaching in October and political 
squabbling intensifying there is little hope left for real reform. 
End Comment.