LPV Ready to Back Kulbergs Government if It Excludes New Unity and Progressives
The Latvia First party is willing to support a government formed by prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs, with or without ministerial posts, provided it excludes New Unity and the Progressives. LPV leader Ainārs Šlesers said so on TV3.
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In Latvia's ongoing government formation, the party Latvia First (LPV) has said it is prepared to support a cabinet formed by prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs of the United List (AS), with or without ministerial posts, as long as New Unity (JV) and the Progressives are not part of it. LPV leader Ainārs Šlesers said this on 10 November in the TV3 programme "900 Seconds". Kulbergs was tasked with forming the new government after the 15th Saeima convened, and the shape of the coalition remains unclear.
LPV's "red lines"
Šlesers said that whether to include the National Alliance (NA) is Kulbergs' own decision, since LPV's "red lines" apply only to JV and the Progressives. He justified this by citing their responsibility for pushing the country into poverty and for irresponsible spending on the Rail Baltica project.
LPV would also be ready to back a government that includes Defence Minister Raivis Melnis, a non-party figure nominated by JV, whom Šlesers described as a professional who has not joined JV. According to him, LPV can deliver 17 votes for a Kulbergs government without demanding ministerial posts in return.
Šlesers suggested that Kulbergs' hesitation might be linked to the historical relationship between AS and NA. He acknowledged that together the two forces hold 51 votes, which is not a sufficient majority for major changes.
Kulbergs' talks with the parties
On Monday Kulbergs met JV, the Progressives and NA, but after the second round of talks he gave no clarity on the future coalition. He criticised the first two parties for insufficient preparation and too few concrete savings proposals, while singling out NA as a well-prepared partner. A third round of talks will most likely take place after the national holiday, and Kulbergs has promised more details later this week.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs entrusted Kulbergs with forming the government after the 15th Saeima convened. The scenarios mentioned include AS cooperating with JV and NA, an AS–NA government, or an AS minority government.
