All but two Latvian mayors have been granted access to state secrets as required by law, LETA reports. The State Security Service (VDD) has refused security clearances to Aleksandrs Bartasevics, chairman of the Rezekne city council, and Gatis Truksnis, former mayor of Jurmala. VDD is still reviewing the security clearances of five deputy chairs of local governments. Latvia’s Minister of Regional Development, Raimonds Cudars, requested that Bartasevics resign from his position immediately, LSM reported. However, Bartasevics has so far refused to do so, LSM reports. He was elected to the Rezekne city council as the leader of a joint list of the Latvia First (LPV) and Together for Latvia (Kopa Latvijai) parties. Meanwhile, Ogre’s mayor, Egils Helmanis of the National Alliance, who lacked the required security clearance, announced his resignation, citing health problems, LSM reported. Ogre’s city council has elected deputy mayor Andris Krauja to replace Helmanis, LSM reports.
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