Pabriks quits People's Party

RIGA 's Former Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks has handed in his membership card for the People's Party, sparking rumors that he may team up with another recent ministerial departee, Aigars Stokenbergs, in the formation of a new political party.

Responding to the news, his long-time party colleague, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis said he had made no attempt to persuade Pabriks to remain a member. "It is impossible to persuade a person - they must decide themselves if they are ready to assume the responsibility or not," he said.

Kalvitis explained Pabriks' decision by saying that it was taken with regard to his own political ambition.

Pabriks was widely regarded as one of the most capable ministers of recent times, and enjoyed popularity abroad as well as respect at home. His decision to leave the government was damaging enough, but his decision to leave the party as well could have even more seriosu long-term implications and undermines the People's Party's credibility.

However, Kalvitis denied that the People's Party would now be unable to revive its popularity. "All parties in power experience a huge wave of criticism. Only after it is over, the clarity of what happened will ensue," he underscored.

Pabriks announced of his decision after abstaining during a parliamentary vote on the appointment of three new ministers.

Pabriks said that the People's Party asked him not to vote against next year's budget and the new ministers, which is why he abstained from both votes.

"As of this moment I consider my work in this party finished. I am leaving it," he said.