If education minister’s post becomes object of political power struggle, government likely to fall - Kilis

RIGA - In a discussion with LETA today, Education and Science Minister Roberts Kilis said that if the education minister's post becomes an object of political power struggle, then the government will most likely fall.

Kilis emphasized that the Education and Science Ministry is an important ministry for the Reform Party, and giving this away would mean the end of the current government. "If this happens, a different government can be formed, and anything could then happen," the minister said.

Commenting the recent rumors that All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (VL-TB/LNNK) could be eyeing the Education and Science Ministry for itself, Kilis believes that this is one of the most impossible requests that they have come forward with. "I believe that this is one of the most impossible requests from them, and it is possible they made this request because they know that it is impossible. They might be deliberately making impossible requests, so that they could get something else in return. The Reform Party would rather leave the government instead of giving up the Education and Science Ministry," Kilis emphasized.

He also said that he is not certain whether Unity would be willing to see the Education and Science Ministry in the hands of VL-TB/LNNK, even though some of Unity's party members are against his education reforms.

As reported, VL-TB/LNNK has called on coalition partners to assess the performance of each minister and the government and, potentially, follow it up with replacements. Unofficially, it is being mentioned that VL-TB/LNNK wants the Reform Party's ministerial posts and there are concerns that this could lead to the government's downfall.

VL-TB/LNNK leader Raivis Dzintars said in an interview with Latvian State Television earlier this week that his party is much more interested in the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry and the Education and Science Ministry than the Transport Ministry.

Current Transport Minister Aivis Ronis will step down as of March 1.