Justice minister will not be fired, says PM

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis (Unity) will not yet call for the resignation of Justice Minister Janis Bordans, as he believes it is important for the minister to see out the important reforms that have been initiated, reports LETA.

After a meeting with All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (VL-TB/LNNK) today, Dombrovskis told members of the press that the coalition agreement is still in force, which foresees that VL-TB/LNNK is in charge of the Justice Ministry. ''I am prepared to respect the agreement and the wishes of VL-TB/LNNK, however, at the same time, it is important to see that these important reforms are seen through,'' the prime minister pointed out.

It has been decided to create a coalition task-force, where Bordans will present his reforms, so that they are pushed forward as fast as possible.

Meanwhile, the co-chairman of VL-TB/LNNK Raivis Dzintars emphasized that his party has a different view on this matter. The politician emphasized that, in accordance with the coalition agreement, VL-TB/LNNK has taken responsibility for the Justice Ministry. He added that the prime minister is not prepared to return this responsibility back to VL-TB/LNNK, and only offers to discuss this matter sometime in the future.

VL-TB/LNNK points out that it respects the prime minister's decision, however, the coalition agreement, which is the foundation of the current government, is not in force anymore.

Dzintars also added that VL-TB/LNNK will not call for a vote of no confidence against Bordans.

On Nov. 1, VL-TB/LNNK turned to Dombrovskis and requested him to recall Bordans from the government in accordance with the coalition agreement. For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, one of the two parties which makes up VL-TB/LNNK, made the decision to expel Bordans from the party on the same day.

TB/LNNK's board believes that Bordans has been actively involved in the formation of another political party - the Democratic Patriots, and thus cannot be allowed to remain in TB/LNNK.

Meanwhile, Bordans himself is not planning to submit a letter of resignation. Furthermore, several Unity members have praised that work of Bordans as justice minister, thus it is doubtful the prime minister could request his resignation in the near future.