Piebalgs not ready for prime minister’s post

  • 2013-12-02
  • From wire reports, RIGA

European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs believes that his chances of becoming a successful prime minister of Latvia are "shrouded in mist," saying that it would be madness to take such a position under the circumstances.

"It is clear that I am not a candidate for PM and will not be such a candidate during the entire process," Piebalgs explained in an interview on Latvian Television's morning news program ''Rita Panorama' on Dec. 2, reports LETA. "The president did not address me; he simply inquired about my interests. We know each other in person. Therefore he called me, wondering if such an option could be taken into consideration," said Piebalgs. The conversation was informal, emphasized the commissioner.

Piebalgs is not involved in Latvia's politics currently; furthermore, he has not been elected to Saeima, which is an important precondition if someone wants to become the prime minister.

The Maxima Zolitude tragedy has shocked Latvia. However, current regulations are sufficient to bring order to the situation, and providing help to victims should be the top priority at the moment, he said.

Piebalgs does not rule out becoming Latvia's PM after his term in office as the commissioner ends. In the future, Piebalgs will return to Latvia's politics, but he will not establish a new party.

Liga Krapane, press secretary to President Andris Berzins, previously confirmed to LETA that Berzins has been in touch with Piebalgs, but there would be no further comment until the first round of talks with Saeima parties concludes on the formation of a new government.