Slesers plans formation of new government

RIGA - Ainars Slesers, the co-chairman of the LPP/LC political party and vice-mayor of Riga, has announced that he is prepared to form a new government at the beginning of next year.

Slesers, who in addition to being chairman of the Riga city port is widely regarded as one of the country's oligarchs and most powerful politician, said he could have a new government ready to go by February of next year.

He said the current government had reached a "dead end" after passing a budget that pandered to the demands of international lenders. He said tax hikes and spending cuts were the worst way to deal with a crisis.

"It is as if a person goes to donate 200 grams of blood and instead 2 liters is takes. The patient may not survive. Then there is the crunch, either to change the doctor - the government - or indeed the patient will die," Slesers said in a press release published on the party website.

He said that while it would be better for him to stay in his position as Riga city vice-mayor, he was prepared to step in as prime minister if the need arose.

It would personally be beneficial for me to continue the work of the Riga City Council, to prove that everything takes place in Riga, but the Government is agony. If the State President will be ready to nominate me as a candidate, I am ready to build a new government, he said.

The press release said that any new government should be able to defend national interests.