Berzins exceeds expectations

RIGA - Former history teacher Andris Berzins has secured a place in Latvia's record books as head of the longest serving government since the restoration of independence in 1991.

Berzins' government was appointed by the parliament on May 5, 2000.

Frequent changes of government are common in Latvia. The current government is the ninth in 10 years.

Berzins, 50, was put in charge of a coalition government comprising four parties on May 5, 2000. Analysts agree he is likely to hold out until the next parliamentary election, scheduled for next fall.

The strain that comes with the office has taken its toll, however. Once easygoing and cheerful, Berzins has assumed a more intense attitude. Work-related stress may have contributed to a brief hospitalization this year prompted by inflammation of a facial nerve.

Berzins differs dramatically from his predecessors, such as Andris Skele, whose authoritarian style and radical decisions were unpopular, or Vilis Kristopans, who had a reputation for leaping without looking.

The current government's longevity has been attributed to Berzins' personal qualities - described as the art of compromise by his supporters and as plain mediocrity by critics.

Interviewed by the Baltic News Service, Berzins said he saw Latvia's stability as his most vital achievement in office. He stressed stability as a precondition for development and economic growth. "Latvia is in extreme need of stability so that it can make a decisive dash into the European Union and NATO."

The Latvian prime minister admitted it had not been easy to keep his government intact. But he felt strong enough, he said, to continue in office and ensure the government's survival. "Maintaining the government's stability is a very difficult task, but I think I will be able to keep it afloat until the next Parliament is elected," he said.

Neither the ruling coalition or the opposition doubt this prognosis although the latter has strongly criticized the government's performance.

Juris Bojars, leader of the opposition Social Democratic Workers Party, had this to say of the former Riga mayor, "He was known as a totalitarian leader in Riga City Council, and he remains true to this description as head of the government. His main objective is to prevent the opposition from doing any work."

Janis Jurkans, leader of the opposition For Human Rights in a United Latvia faction, believes all achievements claimed by the government in fact result from the work of previous governments.

Political analysts agree that Berzins' ability to maintain the government's current shape has been due to his personal qualities and the favorable political situation after the demise of Skele's government. At that point right wingers realized that the current coalition of Latvia's Way, the People's Party and Fatherland and Freedom was the only one possible.

In the words of political analyst Artis Pabriks: "Berzins came after Skele, but the two have a completely different approach. Skele was very active, with a working method that consisted of breaking through walls, whereas Berzins, immediately upon entering politics said he wanted to comprise and would cooperate with each and every one."

But he also highlighted the parties' need to retain the respect of voters in the run up to an election. "This is a very vital aspect," said Pabriks.

Another analyst, Janis Ikstens, emphasized expediency in explaining the current government's longevity: "The previous combinations of parties lacked viability. This has worked in Berzins' favor," said Ikstens.