Commentary: Kulbergs' Government Model and the Dilemma of New Unity
Politician Bens Latkovskis argues in a commentary that the key question in Latvia's government talks is the role of the New Unity party. He outlines three possible government options centred on the United List.
Talks on forming Latvia's new government have begun. In a commentary on the NRA.lv portal, Bens Latkovskis writes that the first round of negotiations tested the general mood and possible cooperation models. In his view, the central question is what to do with the party New Unity (JV), or what the party itself will do.
The model proposed by Kulbergs
The United List (AS), its representatives and the office of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stress that the course is unchanged: austerity, cuts in budget spending and putting public finances in order. The author concludes that a ruling coalition in the traditional sense, a government declaration and other trappings of earlier politics may not materialise. Instead, there are to be four pillars, political principles accepted by partners and ministers' mission reports. Latkovskis describes this as an offer to join without guarantees. He argues it gives Kulbergs more room for manoeuvre, but creates instability and weak controllability, since there is no concrete work plan or division of political responsibility.
Three options
The author considers a coalition of AS and the Progressives unlikely, because Kulbergs' economic policy is unlikely to find support in the Progressives' economic wing. He names three main options: AS with the National Alliance (NA); AS, NA and JV; or an AS minority government backed by the party Latvia First. In his view an AS–NA coalition would be the most logical, even though it would command only 51 votes.
Why New Unity matters
JV holds seven seats in the Saeima, but it has been in power for 17 years and has strong influence over the state administration. Latkovskis recalls 2018, when JV, with eight seats, eventually took power and won the 2022 election convincingly. He notes that repeating that scenario is not guaranteed, while joining the government risks a loss of identity, as happened to Latvia's Development and the Movement “For!”. In opposition JV could criticise the government's mistakes, but if Kulbergs succeeds, a positive impression would be enough.
