Talks held over nomination of new PM

  • 2014-01-06
  • From wire reports, RIGA

Latvian political leaders are in talks with President Andris Berzins today to inform the president about the party's candidate for the next prime minister - the current Agriculture Minister Laimdota Straujuma.

Members of the Unity political party meet with the other prospective ruling coalition partners today, including independent MPs, All For Latvia-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK (VL-TB/LNNK) members, Reform party and the Union of Greens and Farmers.

Later, Unity leader Solvita Aboltina and Reform Party Chairman Edmunds Demiters officially put their signatures on a memorandum declaring the two parties' close ties.

Unity members decided during a meeting yesterday evening to nominate Straujuma for PM. If chosen for the role, the politician could become Latvia's first ever Prime Minister. 

Outgoing Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis announced his resignation on Nov. 27, taking political responsibility for the Nov. 21 tragedy in Riga's Zolitude region. A total of 54 people died after the roof of a Maxima supermarket collapsed.