Bordans: Russian interests largely win the Saeima elections

RIGA - The current Justice Minister Janis Bordans (Conservatives), believes that Russian interests have largely won the 14th Saeima elections.

"I see that Russian interests won this election to a very large extent. We have four, if I am not mistaken, parties that could be directly financed with Russian money," Bordans said on Latvian Television.

Bordans also believes that it is important for the rule of law which party will get the justice minister's portfolio. He pointed out that it would be good if the post of the minister of justice went to New Unity.

President Egils Levits has authorized the leader of New Unity, Krisjanis Karins, to hold consultations with other parties on formation of a coalition.

After the 14th Saeima elections, the main point of disagreement in the coalition-building talks is how many partners should be in the new government and coalition. New Unity would like to see four political forces in the coalition - New Unity, United List, National Alliance and Progressives, while United List and National Alliance do not want to see Progressives in the coalition.

New Unity won 26 seats in the new Saeima, United List - 15, National Alliance - 13, and Progressives - 10, therefore with Progressives the coalition would have 64 votes in the parliament, but without - 54.

The parliamentary elections proved fateful for the ruling coalition's Development/For and Conservatives, as well as for the long-time leader of the Russian-speaking electorate, Harmony, which failed to clear the 5 percent electoral threshold and was not elected to the 14th Saeima.