Greens/Farmers asks KNAB to look into Karins' proposal on ministerial positions to Progressives

RIGA - The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) has turned to the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB), asking to probe the information about New Unity's leader Krisjanis Karins offering a ministerial post to the Progressives in exchange for support to the new government, LETA learned from ZZS spokeswoman Dace Karklina.

ZZS believes that such actions could be qualified as an attempt to trade in influence.

ZZS said that there had been numerous reports that the New Unity wants to see the Progressives as a fourth coalition partner or as an opposition party that might support formation of the government in exchange for a ministerial post or other positions.

ZZS believes that Karins' proposal to establish a new Environment and Energy Ministry for the Progressives shows signs of corruption or trading in influence.

Karklina said that in that case a criminal procedure should be launched to discover the illegal activities and hold the responsible persons accountable.

As reported, New Unity will offer the United List and the National Alliance to conclude cooperation memorandum on the new coalition's principles, thus paving the way for a three-way coalition with these parties, while offering one ministerial portfolio to the Progressives, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said following a meet with President Egils Levits on Monday.

The Progressives, however, decided not to accept the role of a "younger brother" in Latvia's next government, the party's representative Kaspars Briskens said, commenting on New Unity's decision to continue coalition talks among three parties, without the Progressives.