Progressives focus on work in government

  • 2022-10-05
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - The Progressives party is focusing on the work in the governments, at the same time the politicians are also ready to be a powerful opposition, the party's politician Kaspars Briskens said after meeting with New Unity today.

The politician said that the Progressives have not changed the earlier stance and readiness to fight for a place in the coalition. At the same time, it is not the goal of the party to get into the coalition "for any price", said Briskens.

The party in negotiations with the New Unity discussed a number of issues, including its support to the state defense service. Briskens said that the talks dispelled myths about the stance of the Progressives. The negotiations also found common ground on other important matters, including overcoming the crisis, promoting economic growth, development of the energy sector.

Representatives of the parties also said that the stand for solutions to solve the socio-economic inequality. Briskens said that this was the first meeting and the dialogue will continue to "move towards a strong and inclusive four-party coalition".

Briskens said that there had been an informal agreement to organize meetings also with the United List and the National Alliance. Common ground will be sought also during these meetings, even though this will be a more complicated task, the politician said.

The Progressives will not step down from important value issues, but an agreement should be reached on urgent matters that should be solved in the areas of national security, energy, said Briskens. 

As reported, New Unity leader and Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said that there is no obstacle that cannot be removed for formation of a four-party coalition.

The National Alliance and the United List earlier were skeptical about inviting the Progressives into the government.

New Unity achieved the best result in last Saturday's parliamentary elections by winning 26 mandates in the 14th Saeima. The Union of Greens and Farmers follows with 16, United List with 15, National Alliance with 13, For Stability with 11, Progressives with 10 and Latvia First with nine mandates.

The New Unity has already started government formation talks and meetings with potential coalition parties.