Next president's main challenges will be related to external security - Rinkevics

RIGA - Considering current developments in the world, the main challenges of Latvia's next president will be related to external security, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (JV), who is one of the presidential candidates, said in an interview with TV3 channel.

The first and foremost challenge in the first four years will be related to external security, Rinkevics said.

At the same time, Rinkevics noted that negotiations and discussions on support for  presidential candidates are just beginning. "The process has only just started," he added.

The United List has put forward its founder, businessman Uldis Pilens, for the presidency. The Progressives have nominated public governance expert Elina Pinto, and Rinkevics is the presidential candidate nominated by his New Unity party.

Incumbent President Egils Levits initially agreed but later declined to run for a second term. He was supported by New Unity and the National Alliance but failed to win unanimous support in the coalition, which means that he would not secure enough votes in the Saeima to get re-elected.

The presidential elections will take place in the Saeima on May 31.