Movement For to consider also nonpolitical candidates for health minister

RIGA - Movement For will consider also nonpolitical candidates for Latvia's next health minister, the party's board member Maija Golubeva told LETA. 

The board of Movement For is due to meet this afternoon to discuss the situation after Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins' (New Unity) demand for Health Minister Ilze Vinkele (For Development/For) to resign and to consider potential candidates that could be nominated for the vacant post. 

Without naming any potential candidates, Golubeva said that the board members will be discussing "both political and nonpolitical candidates", with a possibility to look for a "strong representative" of the health sector. 

The party might inform Karins on its position regarding the resignation demand and the potential candidate on Thursday, January 7. 

As reported, Saeima members Andris Skride (For Development/For), Daniels Pavluts (For Development/For), and Ilmars Duritis (For Development/For) have been unofficially mentioned as potential nominees for health minister but the alliance is yet to pick an official candidate.

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) on Tuesday filed a motion of no confidence in Health Minister Ilze Vinkele (For Development) and, in line with the cooperation agreement, has called on For Development/For to name a new candidate for the health minister, LETA learned from the prime minister's office.

In line with the coalition agreement, Karins yesterday informed the coalition partners that he will sign documents demanding Vinkele's resignation on January 7.

Vinkele will remain in her office until Thursday.