Pro Russia party wants to set up new government in Latvia after gaining most votes

Latvia's pro Russia party Harmony has called on Latvian President Andris Berzins to allow his party to set up the new government after winning a majority of seats in Latvia's elections on Sunday.

Despite gaining a majority of votes in Latvia's elections on Sunday, Latvia's three party center right coalition canceled out Harmony's lead after winning a majority of seats.

"The result is satisfying [24 seats in parliament}, but we would be more than happy if there were more," Usakovs told the LETA news agency.

He added: "The domestic political context must be taken into account, also - that Harmony took a step further in its development, i.e. for the first time it ran in an election as a social-democratic party [simply Harmony, not Harmony Center]."

One-third of the Harmony politicians elected Saturday are Latvian nationals, Usakovs added.  

Unity member Ilze Vinkele told Latvian television on Monday it wanted  Laimdota Straujuma to remain Prime Minister of Latvia following talks. The party has also said it would like to retain control of the finance and foreign ministries.

Latvia's National Alliance, one of the members of the three party coalition has said it would it would like to retain control of the culture ministry and environment ministries under new plans.

Latvian newcomer party  For Latvia From the Heart, which won seven seats, is currently not involved in discussions on the next coalition, the party's leader Inguna Sudraba told Latvian television.