Kulbergs picks coalition partner: National Alliance offered three ministries

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the Unified List (AS) announced on 15 November that his party and the National Alliance (NA) have agreed to cooperate in forming a new government and to divide areas of responsibility. The core of the governing coalition is therefore chosen, although the cooperation documents have not yet been signed.

Talks on the work ahead and the terms of cooperation continue so that the documents can be prepared for signing. On Monday the NA is to put forward candidates for three ministerial posts: interior, welfare and culture. Kulbergs has asked Defence Minister Raivis Melnis to stay on in the next government. Information on the remaining candidates will follow soon, and the prime minister says professionalism and suitability for the post will be decisive.

Priorities and the budget situation

Kulbergs names national security, order in public finances, economic growth and efficient public administration as priorities. He describes the budget situation as critical and says that, if nothing is done, Latvia risks being unable to fund the defence it needs as early as 2030. He also stresses that the country must not again end up in a position where international financial aid limits its choices.

Stance toward other parties

Kulbergs said he is not convinced that the parties that shaped the existing system are ready to change it fundamentally, singling out New Unity (JV). Their willingness to change, he said, can soon be judged in Saeima votes. According to Latvian Television, JV and the Progressives were not invited to the next round of talks.

A coalition of AS and NA would hold 51 votes in the Saeima, Latvia's parliament. LPV leader Ainārs Šlesers had earlier promised support for such a model, although on Friday he said that the participation of certain ministers could complicate his party's backing. Kulbergs acknowledges that the narrow majority will require strict discipline among coalition factions and close cooperation with other deputies.

The prime minister plans to meet opposition parties regularly, preferably monthly, to give them posts on Saeima committees and to assess their proposals on their merits.