Kulbergs' Government Formation Stalls Over Ministerial Portfolios

Andris Kulbergs, the candidate for prime minister of Latvia from the "United List" (AS) alliance, has moved the briefing of his party's Saeima deputies on the incoming government to Monday, 16 November. According to "TV3 ziņas", the formation of the cabinet is not progressing as smoothly as hoped, because the negotiating partners have not yet agreed on how to divide ministerial posts.

Talks continue over the weekend

Informal consultations between AS and the National Alliance (NA) on forming the government continue this weekend. Based on information available to the TV channel, the talks are difficult and no agreement has been reached.

It is unofficially known that the distribution of ministerial portfolios is causing the problems. NA wants to be an equal partner and to head one of the ministries linked to the economy. The party also insists that Jānis Dombrava (NA) remain interior minister.

The names of ministerial candidates are not yet being officially disclosed. Unofficially, however, the foreign minister candidate is said to be career diplomat Ģirts Jaunzems, Latvia's ambassador to Uzbekistan, who is also a classmate of Kulbergs.

Possible coalition

So far, the closeness of the AS and NA positions has stood out in the negotiations, and representatives of both have said they share a similar long-term vision. Latvian Television has reported that the active talks are mainly between these two parties, while "New Unity" and the "Progressives" have not been invited to the next round.

A coalition of AS and NA would command 51 votes in the Saeima. LPV leader Ainārs Šlesers has previously pledged support for such a model, although on Friday he noted that the participation of certain ministers in the government could complicate his party's backing for the future coalition.

Saeima Speaker Edvards Smiltēns (AS) said earlier that clarity on the coalition model could come by Saturday, 14 November. Kulbergs, for his part, has said that before any public announcement the two sides still need to agree on cooperation terms and prepare the necessary documents.