Zatlers wants second term

RIGA - European Parliament member (MEP) Sandra Kalniete says that Latvia needs a national unity leader, and President Valdis Zatlers is a statesman who could take charge, as she argues for his re-election to the presidency this year. “In a short time Zatlers has become an experienced and mature statesman. He has made the right decisions during Latvia’s critical moments, supporting the implementation of the economic recovery plan, entrusting the formation of the government to Valdis Dombrovskis and defending Latvia’s foreign policy values,” notes Kalniete, reports news agency LETA.

Zatlers announced last week that he is prepared to run for a second term in the presidential elections due this spring. According to the law on presidential elections, candidates must be nominated in writing no sooner than 50 days, and no later than 45 days before the term of office of the current president expires. This means that presidential candidates must be put forward between May 19 and May 24, and the Saeima Presidium must call a Saeima meeting to vote on the matter from May 29 to June 8. Zatlers’ term of office will expire on July 7 this year.

Several political parties have approved President Zatlers’ decision to run for a second term. The parties, however, point out that the elections are still far away and there is plenty of time to discuss other candidates. They say that Zatlers’ decision has made the situation with the presidential candidates clearer. Most of them, however, did not comment on Zatlers’ chances of being re-elected and said that his candidacy will be discussed within the parties.

Unity’s deputy leader Ilze Vinkele approved the president’s decision, and added that Zatlers is a considerable candidate, and the party will assess his bid. Union of Greens and Farmers’ leader Augusts Brigmanis admitted that he has always supported Zatlers; however, the party’s consensus opinion will be of greatest importance.
 Harmony Center leader Janis Urbanovics pointed out that the party “will discuss” Zatlers’ candidacy. For A Good Latvia leader Edgars Zalans also approved Zatlers’ decision, but noted that it was strange that he hesitated for so long. Zalans said that For a Good Latvia will wait for the ruling coalition or the majority of deputies to announce their candidate. “We will nominate our own candidate only if the coalition will not be able to agree on anyone,” said Zalans.

All For Latvia-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK deputy Imants Paradnieks said that he will support Zatlers only if there will be no better candidate. Paradnieks explained that if the opposition announced its candidate now, he/she will be branded as someone that none must vote for and associated with a certain party.
Zatlers made the announcement that he is ready to run at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) on March 16. “Recently, I have received support from many people all over Latvia, as well as from organizations and well-known people to run for a second term as president. In order for me to continue the work that I have started, I announce that I am ready to stay on as president. I am prepared to begin discussions with political parties on my candidacy for the upcoming election,” the president emphasized.

Zatlers said that he was prepared for consultations with political parties, and that he would present his platform on April 19.
Dombrovskis said that he had a positive opinion of Zatlers’ announcement, and that he considered Zatlers a strong contender. In Dombrovskis’ opinion, Zatlers’ statement will “provide a framework” for coalition talks, but no candidates will be named by the coalition until the coalition partners agree on one.