Slesers calls for united opposition

Politician and one of Latvia's so-called oligarchs Ainars Slesers, who recently become the leader of the newly formed United for Latvia (Vienoti Latvijai) party, wishes to consolidate opposition parties ahead of the Saeima elections, the Diena newspaper reports.

Slesers told the newspaper that his party has a vision of forming a coalition together with Harmony Center and other political parties. He said that he would like to create an opposition coalition, where the coalition partners would agree on their position on several important matters before the election, so that there would be no surprises after the election. He also did not hide the fact that he would like to see United for Latvia run together with the Alliance of Regions.

''In regard to Harmony Center - this party has to change, and I see that it is gradually doing so, as the Latvian Socialist Party has left. These radical elements must be lessened,'' he said.

Slesers also told the newspaper that he has had discussions with Harmony Center representatives regarding possible cooperation, but that more specific talks could take place after the European Parliament elections.

Meanwhile, Harmony Center board member and the deputy head of the party's group at Saeima Valerijs Agesins said that discussions are currently taking place on a joint ticket with Honor to Serve Riga, with which the party is currently cooperating with in the Riga City Council.

Slesers was previously named as one of Latvia's three so-called oligarchs by then President Valdis Zatlers.