Levits to repeatedly run for presidential post

RIGA - Incumbent Latvian President Egils Levits will run for a second term in the office, the president told the press on Wendesday after his meeting with Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity).

Levits thanked the National Alliance and the New Unity for the high assessment of his work and an invitation to continue his work for the next four years. Levits underscored that he represented clear values - western and Latvian values. This is his stance and he has proved it over his four years in the office.

He also repeated that the election of the president with a majority vote where the deciding role is played by pro-Kremlin parties is not acceptable in this situation as it would be a wrong, dangerous signal to society and Latvia's allies. Therefore Levits is ready to run for the second term in the president's office.

"I believe the president should be elected not by a numerical majority but a political majority which does not include pro-Kremlin parties. I call on the coalition to be united and responsible on this matter," Levits said.

The National Alliance on April 17 decided to nominated Levits for a second term in the office, but Levits' own decision was still expected.

This will be the third time the National Alliance has named Levits as the candidate for the president. During the first time in 2015 Levits lost at the last stage of the election to Raimonds Vejonis nominated by the Union of Greens and Farmers.

Another candidate announced for the presidential post is businessman and founder of the United List, Uldis Pilens. 

Pilens is supported by the United List, but also by a number of opposition politicians, still the majority support to this candidate is not certain.

The presidential elections will take place on May 31.