Dombrovskis confident over taking on top EU role

Former Latvian prime minister Valdis Dombrovskis believes his chances of becoming European commissioner for financial and economic affairs are strong.

Dombrovskis, a Saeima member, stepped down as Prime Minister last year amid the collapse of a supermarket roof in Riga that killed 54 people.

"I believe that I can greatly contribute to the EU and Latvia in fields like economics and finance," Dombrovskis told the LETA news agency.

When asked to comment on the potential presidential candidates' statements that politicians are urged to support decisions that are made behind "closed doors", Dombrovskis said that there have always been discussions about such topics.

"It is clear that all political groups failed to come to a joint agreement, as representatives from different groups hold different ideologies. Some of them are even against the EU," Dombrovskis said, adding that in regard to the European Commission's president vote, there is a chance that Juncker will receive the needed support.

On June 27, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker was nominated for the European Commission president's post, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy announced.  EU leaders voted 26 to 2 in Juncker's favor.