Thousands of people protested against Latvia's centre-right government on Saturday over its sacking of the country's anti-corruption boss. The protest in Riga of up to 8,000 people was the second in two weeks against Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis after the sacking of anti-corruption bureau chief Aleksejs Loskutovs.
The government last week withdraw its decision but it has been hobbled by the resignation or dismissal of four ministers over the Loskutovs affair. Latvia's president on Wednesday urged it to resign after passing the budget next week.
"Dissolve parliament, dissolve parliament," chanted the crowd in the capital's central square. Some carried banners with anti-government slogans, others waved the red-white-red national flag.
Well-known writers attended the protest which agreed an appeal to the government to ensure the independence of the legal system and fight corruption. Government critics regarded the sacking of Loskutovs as the latest example of alleged political interference that could benefit influential politicians and businessmen. Kalvitis has denied such allegations.
The protest's slogan was "For a just Latvia. For honest politics." Kalvitis accused Loskutovs of financial irregularities in running the anti-corruption bureau. Critics say the government wanted to dismiss Loskutovs as he was getting to close to business and political allies of Kalvitis.
The US ambassador to Latvia questioned in September whether the post-Soviet state was slipping backwards in the fight against corruption and promotion of democracy.