LUSIS COMMENTS ⟩ How Smiltēn sneaked onto the stage so that you couldn’t even see a couple of hockey players behind him

It should also be added here – people can be angry, for example Krišjānis Kariņš, anyone has every right to do so. But even the Prime Minister watched the event from the sidelines, instead of trying to turn the hockey players’ success into his political advertisement. In a word, I was ashamed of Smiltēn’s move.

However, Smiltēns himself explains to the Delfi portal: “I know where the initiative for those memes came from. It is clear that political opponents, by connecting aid, are trying to turn this situation in their direction and take advantage of it”. He knows where the black PR’s legs come from. An absolute lack of self-criticism, because any mistakes made are simply an attack by detractors.

However, “lack of self-criticism” might be a common feature of Smiltēns’ entire political career. Someone else was always to blame, whether it was Kariņš during the coalition negotiations or Solvita Āboltiņa, who allegedly wanted to sink the old “Unity”. Never Smiltēns himself, who has been active in politics since 2009.

At first, as an assistant to MP Aigars Stockenbergs. Then as a member of the Saeima and deputy of the chairman of the “Vienotības” faction Dzintaras Zakis. Worked in the National Economy, Agrarian, Environmental and Regional Policy Commission, as well as in the European Affairs Commission.

Next, the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science – almost ten years in the same “Unity”. Until August 19, 2017, when the party experienced a crisis and stopped meeting the future ambitions of the young politician.

At that time, Smiltēns explained that in the speeches at the congress of party members, there was a palpable mood that stability is important and the main thing is to enter the next Saeima. However, according to him, it is not important to barely overcome the 5% barrier to enter the parliament, but to become the leading party. He also said that he does not plan to join other forces and wants to take a break from politics.