Kulbergs to hold no public talks on forming new government this week

Andris Kulbergs, the candidate for prime minister of Latvia from the United List (AS) alliance, will not hold any more public meetings with parties this week on forming the next government. His communications adviser, Elīna Šverna, told the news agency LETA, giving no further details about how the talks are proceeding.

Kulbergs wrapped up the first official round of consultations on Monday by meeting the party "Latvia First" (LPV). A further round was promised afterwards, and potential coalition partners have said they expect the talks to continue with a more detailed discussion of the work ahead. No such meetings are taking place in public this week, however.

Possible government models

On Tuesday, Kulbergs told Latvian Television that every option for the government's make-up remains open. Three scenarios are seen as the most realistic: AS working with the National Alliance (NA) and New Unity (JV), cooperation with the NA alone, or an AS minority government relying on LPV support.

In the first round, Kulbergs said, he stressed how serious Latvia's financial situation is and tried to find out whether parties are prepared to drop campaign promises that have no funding behind them. He hopes to get clear answers in the next round with Saeima factions. Several negotiating partners have noted that his austerity plans lacked specifics.

Timeline and budget

Kulbergs hopes to present a model for the new Cabinet of Ministers by Latvia's national holiday in mid-November. He has rejected assumptions that the make-up of the 15th Saeima's Presidium reflects the future coalition; JV was left without a post there, while LPV secured one.

On next year's state budget, Kulbergs allowed that, in the most optimistic scenario, the Saeima could adopt it in mid- or late January. He intends to advance the draft together with a broader package of changes, which will need longer preparation.

President Edgars Rinkēvičs entrusted Kulbergs with forming the new government after the 15th Saeima convened. In the election, AS won 41 seats, LPV 17, the "Sovereign Power/Alliance of New Latvians" 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives 10 each, and New Unity seven.