Berzins still looking for a prime minister

  • 2013-12-06
  • From wire reports, RIGA

Latvia’s President Andris Berzins said he was not satisfied with the prime minister candidates put forward by Unity, while other parties did not put forward any candidates, even though they claimed they had such candidates, reports LETA.

The president's press secretary Liga Krapane said that Berzins does not believe that the three prime minister candidates put forward by Unity are the “strongest possible” candidates Unity can offer.

According to talk behind the scenes at parliament, Berzins would like to see Saeima Speaker Solvita Aboltina (Unity) be put forward as a prime minister candidate. Aboltina, however, has indicated that she is not interested in taking the position.

Krapane said that political consultations will continue this week. Since Berzins was not convinced by Unity's PM candidates, the president urges Unity and other parties for move active consultations, which could lead to a result.

The Union of Greens and Farmers emphasized that their PM candidates are Janis Duklavs, Uldis Augulis and Raimonds Vejonis, while All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK said that Gaidis Berzins remains their PM candidates. Neither the Reform Party nor Harmony Center revealed their PM candidates.

After concluding last week the first-round of consultations with political parties on the formation of a new government, President Berzins decided not to nominate any of the prime minister candidates that have been put forward by parties.

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) announced two weeks ago that he would step down, taking political responsibility for the Maxima supermarket tragedy. Latvia needs to have a government that will be supported by the Saeima majority and deal with the current situation in the nation, said Dombrovskis.