PM: too many attempts to alter coalition agreement may result in creation of new coalition

RIGA - If there are too many attempts to alter the coalition agreement, this may result in the establishment of a new coalition - and the activities of All For Latvia!-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK obviously pose such a risk, Prime Minister Valdis Dombvrovskis (Unity) said in an interview with Latvian State Radio this morning.

VL-TB/LNNK has proposed that the performance of the government and every individual minister be evaluated, which could be followed by the replacement of some ministers. This is the first time in three years since Dombrovskis has been the premier that such a proposal is made, noted the premier.

VL-TB/LNNK has not explained its goals and motives behind such a proposal, whether it wants to see new ministers in the government or have some specific minister's portfolio for itself, said Dombrovskis. The coalition parties will be waiting two weeks for VL-TB/LNNK to explain its move, and the proposal will be repeatedly discussed on February 4.

VL-TB/LNNK proposal was made following Transport Minister Aivis Ronis' resignation, said Dombrovskis. The premier believes that the coalition agreement does not have to be changed, and the next transport minister should be delegated by Unity together with the group of independent MPs, which have taken joint responsibility for the transport sector. At the moment, Unity and the independent MPs are leaning toward nominating a nonpartisan professional for the post.

Currently no minister's performance is being evaluated because, under the coalition agreement, the party that has nominated a minister is responsible for his or her work. If there are doubts about any minister's suitability, every such case should be dealt with individually, stressed Dombrovskis. The premier added he could not understand if VL-TB/LNNK wanted to evaluate the performance of ministers it had itself nominated, for instance, the much-criticized Culture Minister Zaneta Jaunzeme-Grende.

The relations in the ruling coalition are complicated, but so far the coalition parties have always been able to come to agreement, added Dombrovskis.

As reported, VL-TB/LNNK yesterday evening proposed to its partners in the coalition conducting an evaluation of the performance of each Cabinet minister and the government overall, not excluding the possibility of replacing a minister.

VL-TB/LNNK's Imants Paradnieks, after the coalition's meeting yesterday, told reporters that "now is the right time to conduct such an evaluation with the objective being to improve the Cabinet's work." Asked whether this was the only objective, he responded that this could include replacing a minister.