Krisjanis Karins should renounce one of his citizenships

  • 2019-01-09
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Prime minister nominee Krisjanis Karins (New Unity), who holds the dual citizenship of Latvia and the United States, should choose one of the passports, Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs (For Latvia and Ventspils) said at a news conference.

Lembergs believes that Karins should only keep one citizenship, at least while he serves as Latvia’s prime minister.

“In my opinion, it is impermissible and not normal for a premier to have dual citizenship. If he becomes prime minister, which country’s citizens will he represent?” the Ventspils mayor asked rhetorically.

As reported, President Raimonds Vejonis has nominated European Parliament member Krisjanis Karins for Latvia's next prime minister.

Aivars Lembergs, an influential politician and businessman often referred to as one of Latvia’s oligarchs, has been fighting multiple charges of corruption and money laundering in courts for years already.