Coalition is stable - PM

RIGA - The coalition is still stable, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) stressed in and interview with Delfi TV, commenting on the decision of MP Skaidrite Abramas to leave the Progressives faction.

As the prime minister stressed, Abrama has confirmed that she will support the coalition on national issues. This was also demonstrated in Thursday's vote on the request for the resignation of the prime minister, Silina said. "The government continues to work, the coalition continues to work and we are moving forward," underlined Silina.

The prime minister expressed confidence that the number of votes would not be decisive in the budget discussions if the politicians are able to talk and reach an agreement. Silina noted that Abrama supported those issues that involve savings. "If there were less than 50 votes, then there would be cause for concern," said Silina.

As reported, Abrama has left the Progressive faction, thus reducing the weight of the coalition's votes in parliament.

Abrama's departure means that the Progressives are left with eight votes, while the coalition of New Unity, the Union of Greens and Farmers and the Progressives plus some independent lawmakers together have just 51 votes in the 100-seat parliament.

Abrama herself said she had decided to be an independent lawmaker. "There could be various reasons, but nothing major, just sometimes there are differences of opinion, sometimes my professional understanding contradicts political decisions taken in the coalition or in the faction," Abrama said.

Asked whether the coalition had thus lost her vote, Abram said that it would depend on the issues to be decided. "My vote is no longer absolute on any issue, but I think that nothing much can change, because I have always made decisions in national interests and in a responsible and professional way," Abrama said.

She said that sometimes she had voted completely differently from her faction, but that this had been justified.

Abrama does not think that leaving the fraction would affect the stability of the coalition or the government's ability to function. "Maybe leaving the fraction is what motivates the government, the coalition, to think about different decisions and proposals," Abrama said, adding that the fact that she was leaving the fraction did not significantly change the balance of power.