National Alliance Seeks Agreement on Cooperation Principles and Ministries in Latvian Coalition Talks

The National Alliance (NA), which won ten seats in Latvia's 15th Saeima (parliament), wants to discuss basic cooperation principles for the future coalition in the second round of government-formation talks. NA board chair Ilze Indriksone told the news agency LETA on 6 November. The government is being formed by prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs of the alliance "Apvienotais saraksts" (United List, AS).

Consensus on major issues

Indriksone said NA's priorities have not changed since the first round. The party wants an agreement that matters affecting the long-term interests of the nation state would not be pushed through the Saeima or the Cabinet of Ministers without consensus in the coalition. She named amendments to the Constitution (Satversme), changes to the Citizenship Law and requirements of the State Language Law as examples. According to her, such arrangements existed before and are needed to avoid a situation in which there is no agreement in government, yet the Saeima suddenly adopts a solution unacceptable to NA.

In the first meeting, Kulbergs confirmed his readiness to discuss these matters, and NA plans to submit its proposals. The exact date of the second round is not yet known: Kulbergs has a complicated schedule, but on Thursday he promised to announce the meeting time soon.

Ministries and committees

NA would like to take responsibility for the Interior Ministry, as internal security is its priority. It also considers it important to keep the Ministry of Education and Science. Indriksone also recalled NA's experience leading the Ministry of Economics. In her view, a balanced distribution would be best, but the offer on ministry allocation will come from Kulbergs.

NA has not yet precisely defined its wishes on leading Saeima committees, as no discussion has taken place. The party is considering the importance of the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee, which handles media-related issues, while language policy falls under the Education, Culture and Science Committee. Indriksone said ensuring a quorum and decision-making capacity in committees is even more important than chairing them.

Background

President Edgars Rinkevics tasked Kulbergs with forming the government after the 15th Saeima convened. Kulbergs hopes to present a Cabinet model by mid-November. Scenarios mentioned include AS with NA and "Jaunā vienotība" (New Unity), an AS–NA government, or an AS minority government backed by "Latvija pirmajā vietā" (Latvia First). In the election AS won 41 seats, Latvia First 17, Sovereign Power/United Latvians 15, NA ten, the Progressives ten and New Unity seven.