Political scientist and journalist assess election results and a possible Kulbergs cabinet

In the nra.lv studio, political scientist Filips Rajevskis and journalist Kristīne Kravcova analyse the results of the Latvian parliamentary (Saeima) elections. The conversation focuses on which politicians might suit a government led by Andris Kulbergs, which matters because the line-up will shape how that government works. Viewers are asked to say in the comments which politician would best fit which ministerial post.

Results and turnout

The discussion looks at why some politicians gathered many votes of support while others drew strong voter antipathy. It also covers how the parties fared in getting people to the polls, whether the state was right not to run a campaign urging people to vote, and why turnout was relatively low. Separate attention goes to the Latvian diaspora abroad, whose participation was especially low. The participants ask whether that gives politicians grounds to decide that free healthcare should be provided only to people who pay taxes in Latvia.

Individual politicians

The talk touches on Arvils Ašeradens of the party New Unity (Jaunā vienotība), who failed to win a Saeima seat. It asks whether the reason was his emphasis on the economy and finance. Former prime minister Evika Siliņa did enter the Saeima, even though she did not speak about the economy during the campaign. The discussion also considers the future of Defence Minister Raivis Melnis and whether New Unity will keep backing him for that post. It also asks what Baiba Braže could learn from Rūdolfs Brēmanis and whether they would work together easily, for instance on the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee.

It also examines the large voter antipathy toward Ingmārs Līdaka and Aivis Ceriņš, including whether voters from the Progressives party struck Līdaka off ballots over his attitude to the Istanbul Convention. Further topics are why Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri did not win a seat, what positive things he leaves behind, and how Leonīds Loginovs won the sympathy of many voters.

The Kulbergs government

The participants ask whether the Kulbergs government could be brought down, who might become economy minister, and what qualities a finance minister should have. They also debate whether Raivis Melnis should stay as defence minister, whether Jānis Dombrava should keep the interior ministry, and why the culture ministry should go to Ivars Āboliņš.