Unofficially: career diplomat Girts Jaunzems named as foreign minister candidate
TV3 reports, citing unofficial information, that career diplomat Girts Jaunzems is the candidate for foreign minister in government formation talks. Negotiations between the Joint List and the National Alliance are complicated by the split of ministerial posts.
Informal consultations on forming a new Latvian government between the political group "Apvienotais saraksts" (Joint List) and the National Alliance continue this weekend, television channel TV3 reports.
According to TV3's unofficial information, the talks are being complicated by unresolved questions over how ministerial portfolios will be divided. One example cited is the National Alliance's insistence that Janis Dombrava keep the post of interior minister.
TV3 News has also learned unofficially that the candidate for foreign minister is career diplomat Girts Jaunzems, who is currently the ambassador to Uzbekistan. The report adds that he is also a classmate of Andris Kulbergs.
The information about the candidacy has not been officially confirmed, and the final composition of the cabinet will be known only after the coalition partners agree on the distribution of posts.
