Kulbergs Postpones Briefing on New Government to Monday as Ministerial Posts Cause Friction
Prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs has moved the briefing of his party's MPs on the new government to 16 November. According to TV3, the distribution of ministerial portfolios is complicating talks with the National Alliance.
Andris Kulbergs, the prime minister candidate from the United List (AS), has postponed informing the party's Saeima deputies about the planned government until Monday, 16 November, Latvian broadcaster TV3 News reported on 14 November. The delay suggests that the formation of Latvia's new government is not yet settled, as AS and the National Alliance (NA) have still not agreed on the terms of cooperation.
AS and NA are continuing informal consultations this weekend. Information available to TV3 indicates that the talks are not straightforward. It is unofficially known that the distribution of ministerial portfolios is the source of difficulty: NA wants to be an equal partner and to head a ministry linked to the national economy. The party also insists that Jānis Dombrava (NA) remain interior minister.
Foreign minister candidate
The names of ministerial candidates are not officially being released. However, TV3 has learned unofficially that the candidate for foreign minister is career diplomat Ģirts Jaunzems, ambassador to Uzbekistan, who is also a classmate of Kulbergs.
Background to the talks
So far, the closeness of the AS and NA positions has stood out in the coalition talks, and representatives of both have stressed a similar long-term vision. Latvian Television has reported that the active discussions 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. Ainārs Šlesers, leader of the LPV party, has earlier pledged support for such a model, but on Friday he said 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 might come by Saturday, 14 November. Kulbergs has said that before any public announcement the sides must still agree on the terms of cooperation and prepare the necessary documents.
