Karins signs decree on dismissal of Minister Vitenbergs

  • 2022-05-18
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) today signed a decree on the dismissal of Economy Minister Janis Vitenbergs (National Alliance), LETA was told by the office of the prime minister.

As of Thursday, May 19, Minister of Agriculture Kaspars Gerhards (National Alliance) has been appointed interim Minister of Economy.

Karins also met with Vitenbergs to thank him for his work as minister.

"The action of the National Alliance, making an ultimatum against one of the partners within the government coalition, has destabilized the coalition, so I informed the party on Monday about the replacement of one of its ministers to restore political balance," Karins said, adding that this was up to the National Alliance which minister they would replace.

The Prime Minister expresses that, as the head of the government, it is clear to him what Latvia as a country needs to do - there are big challenges in resolving the issue of Ukrainian refugees, the country needs to convince its international partners that the strengthening of Latvian and Baltic security within NATO must continue, Latvia must continue to support Ukraine and convince Western allies of this as well, so that Ukraine triumphs in the war Russia has started against it.

"I will firmly hold the reins of leadership and move the work of the government forward so that together with our partners we can implement these important tasks for our country," Karins emphasizes.

The Prime Minister calls on the National Alliance and For Development to nominate candidates for ministerial positions as soon as possible, ones who are able to lead sectors important to national security and the economy, and for the government to be able to work in full capacity in these difficult times.

As reported, the National Alliance demanded a resignation of Interior Minister Marija Golubeva (For Development) following the events at the monument to Soviet soldiers in Riga's Pardaugava on May 9 and 10, threatening that the National Alliance will leave the government if she remains in the position. Golubeva announced her resignation on Monday because she had lost support of the prime minister, she said.

Meanwhile, Karins then demanded the resignation of one of the National Alliance's ministers because of the "blackmail attempt", later picking Vitenbergs as the one who has to step down.