PM Karins to take over duties of foreign minister

RIGA - Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) today accepted the resignation tendered by Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics (New Unity) who is due to take office as Latvia's next president, the prime minister's spokesman Sandis Sabajevs informed LETA. 

Until the Saeima approves Latvia's next foreign minister, Karins will be performing the duties of foreign minister from this Saturday, July 8.

Outgoing President Egils Levits and Saeima Speaker Edvards Smiltens (United List) have been informed about the decision. 

Rinkevics has been serving as Latvia's foreign minister since October 25, 2011. On May 31, 2023, the Saeima elected him Latvia's next president by 52 votes from the ruling New Unity party and the opposition Union of Greens and Farmers and the Progressives. 

Rinkevics is taking over from Levits who was elected president on May 28, 2019 by 61 votes. Levits failed to secure sufficient support in the Saeima to get reelected and therefore chose not to run for a second term.