Rinkevics has chances to be elected as president - political expert

RIGA - Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity), the presidential candidate nominated by the New Unity, has all the chances to get elected as the president, but not during the first round, said political scientist Juris Rozenvalds.

He said that it is hard to predict the outcome of the presidential elections, but it is quite possible that none of the three candidates will receive the majority support, considering the National Alliance's reserved attitude to Rinkevics in the position of the president and possible talks about a new government.

Rozenvalds said that Elina Pinto, the candidate nominated by the Progressives party, has the lowest chances to get elected. He said that possibly the goal of the Progressives was not to put her in the president's chair but to make her more visible in the political arena and put her forward for the upcoming European Parliament elections.

There is also a probability that United List candidate Uldis Pilens might get elected with the help of opposition votes. 

"It can be said almost safely that none of the candidates will win during the first round of votes. The votes of the Progressives are necessary, but during the first round they will not give up their own candidate," said Rozenvalds.

Asked about the probability that all three candidates will run also for the second round, Rozenvalds said that it is more likely that only two candidates will continue the competition - Rinkevics and Pilens.