Latvian lawmakers debate next president, say Rinkēvičs' intentions must be known first

Following the 15th Saeima elections, a TV24 discussion brought together newly elected politicians Inga Bērziņa (New Unity), Edgars Dārznieks (Sovereign Power/Latvian Union of New Conservatives), Aiva Vīksna (United List) and Edmunds Zivtiņš (Latvia First) to discuss how parliament will eventually decide on the next President of Latvia.

Several participants stressed that before committing to support any candidate, parties first need to know whether incumbent President Edgars Rinkēvičs intends to run for a second term. Both Vīksna and Bērziņa said Rinkēvičs has performed well in office and that public sentiment toward him is positive, though neither party was ready to state a final position yet.

Zivtiņš recalled that Latvia First did not back Rinkēvičs in the previous presidential vote, but said the party has no major complaints about his tenure, aside from dissatisfaction over a pre-election controversy involving public remarks about an "atomic bomb." He said the party has an upcoming meeting with the president, where he plans to ask directly whether Rinkēvičs wants to run again. Zivtiņš also noted that Latvia First previously backed businessman Uldis Pīlēns, suggesting that option has not been fully ruled out.

Talk of a popularly elected president

The discussion also touched on the idea of direct presidential elections, which Dārznieks viewed favorably. In a hypothetical exchange, Zivtiņš suggested that well-known public figures who could emerge as candidates under such a system might include meteorologist Toms Bricis, as well as Aivars Lembergs and Ainārs Šlesers. The name Andris Kulbergs was also mentioned. The politicians stressed this was an informal exchange of views, not a formal list of candidates.

By the end of the discussion, it was clear that formal talks on the next president within the newly elected Saeima have yet to begin, with the first question being whether Rinkēvičs himself wants to continue in office for another term.