Izrāde "Rīkojums Nr. 2"

In 2011, for the first time in the history of Latvia, the Saeima was dissolved. People eagerly rushed to support this decision. President Valdis Zatlers, whose position oligarchs had allegedly planned in a zoo, became a national hero, and the party named after him participated in the elections.

In 2011, for the first time in the history of Latvia, the Saeima was dissolved. People eagerly rushed to support this decision. President Valdis Zatlers, whose position oligarchs had allegedly planned in a zoo, became a national hero, and the party named after him participated in the elections.

What were the true consequences of the president's decree? The president chosen by the “Tautas partija” presented himself as a fighter against three oligarchs. At the same time, he ushered in the entry of a new generation into Latvian politics. Founded following the decree, the “Zatlera Reformu partija” brought into politics people who for a long time held all the highest state offices – starting from the president and ending with the mayor of Riga. Those currently holding the levers of power are ironically referred to as zatlerieši.

Were the oligarchs pushed aside from Latvian politics, or quite the contrary – did they decide to join forces for the first time to strengthen their economic interests? The fall of Latvia's largest media outlets into direct dependence on oligarchs, loud corruption scandals, Machiavellian games over state offices, and finally – the invitation of the pro-Russian “Saskaņas centrs” into the government. Were these the true consequences?

Someone close to the processes reportedly said that “we are writing history.” So what is it like after fifteen years? Did Zatlers deserve the praise he received, or was the dissolution of the Saeima a political stunt to preserve the presidency? As always, there are more questions than answers.

The performance is in Latvian with English subtitles.

Documentary thriller.

Author – Matīss Gricmanis.

Director – Valters Sīlis.