New Era: It's impossible to remain in Kalvitis' government

Apr 07, 2006
By TBT staff

RIGA - All six Cabinet ministers from Latvia's New Era Party submitted their resignation letters to the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis this morning, reported BNS.
Kalvitis received resignation letters from Justice Minister Solvita Aboltina, Society Integration Minister Ainars Latkovskis, Economics Minister Krisjanis Karins, Defense Minister Linda Murniece, E-Government Minister Janis Reirs and Education and Science Minister Ina Druviete.
Each minister has explained in the resignation letters his or her motives for stepping down.
Solvita Aboltina said in her letter: "Since the moment of its foundation, the activities of Latvia's First Party have looked more like [party leader] Ainars Slesers' "business project", they have caused serious suspicions of political corruption and open ignoring of the interests of the state and the people for their own good".
"First Party's style is strikingly characterized by its direct involvement in vote-buying in the mayoral elections in Jurmala and recruiting five lawmakers from the [opposition] five-party alliance For Human Rights In United Latvia. I believe that a government party, which follows such principles, threatens and discredits basic principles of democracy and a law-governed state, and it undermines public confidence in the government in general," Aboltina continued.
"In view of the above concerns and the fact that you, as prime minister, have failed to make a responsible decision and allowed such a party, which threatens principles of democracy and has lost confidence of the people, to continue work in the government, I find it impossible remain in your government," she said.

On Thursday, after meeting with Aigars Kalvitis New Era's leader Einars Repse announced that the prime minister has not met the New Era's demand to choose between keeping either New Era or Latvia's First Party in the coalition, therefore the New Era leaves the coalition.

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