Levits not to run for second term in president's office

RIGA - Latvian President Egils Levits has decided not to run for second term in the president's office, the President Chancery's spokeswoman Justine Deicmane told LETA.

In the statement released by the President's Chancery, Levits said that the coalition's opinions on the presidential candidates had been divided - Levits was supported by the National Alliance and New Unity, while the United List and the opposition Latvia First supported another candidate.

"Nobody has a clear majority. In a situation like this there is a likely possibility that parties that do not represent Latvia's western course would have the decisive vote at the election of the president. It would be naive to think that such voted would be given just like that, without any political intention," he said.

In his opinion, this would be a signal that pro-Kremlin and oligarch circles would be deciding such important issue as election of the president. This would leave a mark on the presidential post and would make it hard for the future president to represent Latvia's interest and maintain a trusted dialogue with the allies. It would arise doubts about Latvia's political course.

"In the fragile security situation, it would send wrong signals to our own citizens, our allies and Moscow," he said.

Levits calls on the other candidate nominated by a coalition partner, Uldis Pilens, to follow his example. This, according to Levits, would help the coalition to agree on a single presidential candidate.

So far, there have been two potential candidates mentioned for the president's post - incumbent President Levits and United List founder, architec and businessman Uldis Pilens, whose candidacy was officially nominated today.

The National Alliance planned to nominate Levits for the president.

None of the candidates had a convincing support at the parliament, and the coalition had not agreed on a single candidate. Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) said on Wednesday that the New Unity might nominate its own candidate for the post.

President Levits voiced the position that the coalition should agree on one candidate. Otherwise, a "de facto" coalition is formed, in which one coalition partner forms a bloc with political forces that do not work in the interests of Latvia.

"I support the position that we should try to agree on a common candidate. Two candidates are already known. There is still a chance to reach an agreement," the president said.

As reported, the formal nomination of candidates for Latvia's next president started on May 9 and will close at the weekend. The presidential election will take place in the Saeima on May 31.