A minister from New Unity party likely to take over duties of foreign minister - PM Karins

RIGA - Most probably, a cabinet minister from the ruling New Unity party will temporarily take over the duties of foreign minister from Edgars Rinkevics, who is to take office as Latvia's next president on July 8, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said following the weekly coalition meeting on Monday. 

The prime minister told the news conference that the question of Latvia's next foreign minister has not been discussed yet.

"At first, one of the ministers from New Unity will take over the post until a candidate for a permanent role is proposed, which the Saeima will vote on. But we have not yet discussed this internally," Karins said. 

Rinkevics is scheduled to take the oath of presidential office at an extraordinary Saeima meeting on Saturday, July 8.

As Rinkevics takes office, the mandate of outgoing President Egils Levits will expire. 

As reported, the Saeima on May 31 elected long-standing Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics as Latvia's next president by 77 votes to ten.