Braze's candidacy has support of Saeima majority

RIGA - Diplomat Baiba Braze, the nominee for Latvia's next foreign minister, has the support of a Saeima majority, lawmakers said following meetings with the candidate on Wednesday. 

The parliament groups endorsing Braze's nomination include New Unity, the Union of Greens and Farmers and the Progressives. Edmunds Jurevics, chair of the New Unity group in the Saeima, also noted the support of all three coalition parties. 

Braze's meetings with the three coalition groups and one opposition group confirmed that she is a very strong candidate who could provide answers to all questions and clearly outline her priorities, Jurevics said. 

As reported, the Saeima Presidium has called an emergency Saeima sitting for the morning of April 19 to vote on diplomat Baiba Braze's candidacy for foreign minister.

After several weeks of consultations within her New Unity party, Silina on Monday nominated diplomat Baiba Braze for the post of the foreign minister. The candidate has yet to be approved by the Saeima.

Ambassador Braze has held various positions in the foreign service, including ambassador of Latvia to several countries. Before becoming the ambassador of special assignments in the summer of 2023, she served as NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy since May 2020.

Braze was unofficially mentioned as the most likely candidate for this post immediately after the resignation of Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) from the position of the foreign minister.

Coalition partners have already expressed their support in principle for Braze's candidacy, and she will meet with the Saeima groups of political parties on April 17.

Braze is currently non-partisan, but Unity has invited her to join the party.