Kulbergs pauses public talks on forming new Latvian government

Andris Kulbergs, the candidate for Latvia's prime minister from the United List (AS) party, will not continue public-format meetings on forming a new government this week, his communications adviser Elīna Šverna announced. No party won a majority in the 15th Saeima, the Latvian parliament, so the make-up of the next coalition is still unknown.

Šverna gave no further details about how the talks will proceed. On Monday Kulbergs met the party "Latvia First" (LPV), which concluded the first official round of talks with the parties. A second round was promised afterwards, and potential coalition partners also said they expect the consultations to continue, with a more detailed division of tasks. Such talks are not taking place publicly this week.

Options on the table

On Tuesday, speaking on Latvian Television, Kulbergs said all models for the new government remain possible. Three are currently seen as the most realistic: AS together with the National Alliance (NA) and New Unity (JV); AS with the National Alliance alone; or an AS minority government that would in practice rely on LPV support.

In the first round he stressed how serious the country's financial situation is and tried to find out whether the parties are ready 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, however, have noted that Kulbergs' austerity plans lacked specifics.

Deadlines 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 composition of the 15th Saeima's Presidium reflects the future coalition; JV was left without a post there, while LPV received one.

In the most optimistic scenario, the Saeima could adopt next year's budget in mid or late January. Kulbergs intends to push the draft budget together with a broader package of changes, which will need longer preparation.

Background

President Edgars Rinkēvičs tasked Kulbergs with forming the government after the 15th Saeima convened. In the election, AS won 41 seats, LPV 17, the alliance "Sovereign Power/United Latvians" 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives ten each, and JV seven.