Coalition discusses working in unison

RIGA - Even though those parties currently carrying out discussions on the formation of the next government coalition say that they have not begun talks on the allocation of posts, unofficial information leads one to believe otherwise, TV station LNT reported on Oct. 8, writes Nozare.lv. The news channel reports that Unity and the Union of Greens and Farmers will make up the next government coalition, with a separate cooperation agreement being agreed upon with All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (VL-TB/LNNK).

According to the unofficial source, Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) would remain as prime minister, Andris Vilks (Unity) would be finance minister, Artis Pabriks (Unity) would be foreign minister, Imants Liegis (Unity) would remain as defense minister, Girts Valdis Kristovskis (Unity) would become justice minister, Linda Murniece (Unity) would remain as interior minister, Ints Dalderis (Unity) would remain as culture minister, whilst Artis Kampars (Unity) would become transport minister.

On Oct. 8 Dombrovskis presented new government formation priorities, principles and conditions to his coalition partners. Dombrovskis said in his message that society had clearly expressed its confidence in his government, but for the next one to work in the long term required all coalition partners’ unconditional agreement on priorities, principles and conditions for the new government.

The political alliance All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (VL-TB/LNNK) must be part of the coalition, believes alliance leader Roberts Zile. He stressed that only by showing its ability to work within the coalition and agree on compromises can the alliance fulfill the promises made to its electorate, and also prevent the inclusion of Harmony Center in the coalition. Zile believes that full-fledged participation in the coalition would be much more acceptable for VL-TB/LNNK than simply signing a cooperation agreement with the coalition partners.

The loudest objections to any cooperation with Harmony Center (SC) are coming from VL-TB/LNNK. Dombrovskis, however, underlined that a cooperation offer made earlier to SC remains intact. About a possible shut out of VL-TB/LNNK from the coalition, Dombrovskis said “anything is possible at anytime,” adding that the best make-up of the coalition is being sought.

President Valdis Zatlers will meet with all parties who have been voted into the next Saeima on Oct. 15, with the first meeting taking place with the winners of the election – Unity. The Latvian president must nominate a prime minister before he or she is put up for a vote in the new Saeima.

Unity political alliance won the 10th Saeima elections on Oct. 2 and will have 33 seats in the next parliament. Harmony Center will have 29 seats, while the Union of Greens and Farmers will have 22 seats. All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK will have eight seats, while For a Good Latvia will also have eight seats.