Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

He pointed out that since the supermarket tragedy, he has supported the search and rescue operation. Usakovs said that his task has been to ensure that victims of the tragedy receive the necessary assistance.

The Riga mayor emphasizes that five months ago he received the support of 58 percent of voters in Riga, and that he believes he can best serve the interest of his voters by remaining in office.

Usakovs believes that Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) is using the current situation to his favor to gain popularity and has stepped down to avoid solving current problems. The Riga mayor points out that these problems include the stability of the government, the situation at Liepajas metalurgs, likely inflation after the euro is introduced, as well as the whole legal drama surrounding airBaltic.

He said that this is a cynical attempt by the prime minister to ''kill two birds with one stone'' – earn popularity points before next year's elections, while at the same time thrusting national problems on the shoulders of someone else.

As Riga Mayor Andris Ameriks' (Honor to Serve Riga) press secretary Mareks Gailitis confirmed to LETA, Ameriks is also not planning on stepping down.

As reported, Dombrovskis is resigning, as the premier announced after a meeting with President Andris Berzins.

The premier said that, in doing so, he takes political responsibility for the Zolitude tragedy last week.

"Latvia needs to have a government that will supported by the Saeima majority and deal with the current situation in the nation," said Dombrovskis.

54 people, including three firefighters, died and several dozens were injured as a Maxima supermarket in Riga's Zolitude neighborhood collapsed on November 21. The Riga supermarket tragedy has become the largest loss of life since the restoration of independence in 1991.