Kalvitis comes out fighting

RIGA -- Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, now back from his trip to the U.S., has outlined a three-step priority plan for his government.

After watching last Saturday's anti-government demonstration from the other side of the Atlantic and hearing about the resignation of Welfare Minister Dagnija Stake while he was heading Stateside, it could have been a depressed figure arriving at Riga airport.

Instead Kalvitis seemed keen to get back to business and gave no hint that he might be considering a resignation himself.

Kalvitis immiediately identified the finalisation of the state budget, the conclusion of the Latvian-Russian border treaty and reform of Latvia's regional administration as three works in progress that need to be completed before he could even begin thinking about forming a new cabinet.

"There are series of issues to be solved in the country, which are, to a great extent, the responsibility of the present government, and not only the state budget. It is also the issue of Latvian-Russian border treaty and the final decision on administrative-territorial reform. I have never avoided this responsibility and will never avoid it," said Kalvitis.

"The fate of the government will largely depend on the ability of the government to make decisions and to act, or [its] inability to do so," said the prime minister. "I do not intend to leave these works unfinished," he added.

The government head said that on Thursday Nov. 8, "while solving the budget issue," the ruling coalition will decide on further action. "Then it will become clear what happens next," said Kalvitis.

When asked if he intends to resign, Kalvitis replied: "I would like to underscore again that the government has certain duties to be performed and as long as the government can manage those, the lack of government stability cannot be the issue."

He admitted that it is "difficult" to work without three ministers, but explained that it made the need for swift decisions even more important.

Asked about hints from Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, that the government should consider resigning after the adoption of the budget by the parliament, Kalvitis replied: "I personally have not heard such words from him."

Kalvitis said that during a planned Nov. 7 meeting with Zatlers on Wednesday, he would inform the president about his action plan.

Pressed on the issue of public trust, the prime minister said: "The government head must be capable of taking decisions and acting in the most difficult political situations, even if the government does not trust in him. If we start organizing beauty competitions, then the issue of the government's capacity for work will arise."

One of the first things Kalvitis found in his in-tray on his return was Stake's resignation, which he quickly accepted.

Stake told journalists that the prime minister had accepted her resignation letter but that she would keep working "until further notice". She indicated that Kalvitis did not say how long she will have to wait for his next step, but assumed she will quit as soon as her replacement is found.

Stake added that she does not intend to give up the compensation she is entitled to after standing down. The minister said she has worked hard enough for the last five years. "My health requires additional attention now," she explained.