KPV LV leaves government coalition

RIGA - Latvia's government coalition will continue its work without KPV LV, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) told journalists following a meeting with President Egils Levits on Wednesday. 

"I am glad to announce that the Cabinet of Ministers is gaining new strength to work at full capacity for social cohesion and economic growth. Our government coalition has become more compact," the prime minister said. 

Thus, Latvia's government coalition now includes the New Conservative Party (JKP), For Development/For, the National Alliance and New Unity. Karins added that the coalition's agreement to continue work without KPV LV was the "partners' agreement to continue work in a compact manner". 

The prime minister informed that with KPV LV leaving the coalition, Marija Golubeva (For Development/For), Gatis Eglitis (New Conservative Party, JKP) and Janis Vitenbergs (National Alliance) have been nominated to take over the ministerial posts previously held by KPV LV members. Anita Muizniece (JKP) will replace Ilga Suplinska (JKP) as education and science minister under an agreement reached by the parties, Karins said. 

Until now, KPV LV party controlled two portfolios in Latvia's current government - Sandis Girgens was interior minister and Ramona Petravica headed the Welfare Ministry.

Vitenbergs will return as economics minister, Golubeva will be appointed interior minister and Eglitis will become the new welfare minister. 

The prime minister is scheduled to meet with the candidates of the ministerial posts right after his meeting with Levits.

The prime minister also informed that already on Wednesday the remaining coalition partners will sign a new cooperation memorandum and the Saeima might vote on the new government composition on Thursday, June 3. 

The reshuffle means that three coalition partners - the National Alliance, JKP and For Development/For - are increasing their representation in the government, while for KPV LV it means a departure from the government coalition.

As reported, the coalition had suspended talks on a possible reshuffle and planned to resume them after June 5 municipal elections.