Rinkevics: New Latvian Government Possible Before Independence Day Celebrations

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said on 23 October that he is confident a new government can be formed by the national holiday. Coalition talks following the elections to the 15th Saeima, Latvia's parliament, have not yet started, but the president hopes they will begin next week. The process is being led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the party Apvienotais saraksts (United List, AS), which Rinkevics tasked with forming the government.

The president's assessment

Speaking on Latvian Television's morning programme "Rita panorama", Rinkevics recalled his earlier remark that in his ideal world the government would be in place by the national holiday and the budget adopted before Christmas. He said that scenario remains valid, though he admitted his ideal world may differ from the real one.

Asked about why talks did not begin this week, Rinkevics said there were objective and well-founded reasons. In his view the situation is unique: one political force holds 41 seats, and there is a very broad public desire for a different kind of politics, so the solutions are not entirely ordinary either. The president said he will act if necessary, but currently sees neither need nor desire to speculate about matters that can be resolved through a normal political process.

Kulbergs' plans

According to the news agency LETA, Kulbergs plans to meet all 41 newly elected AS deputies early next week to discuss his planned programme of change and the government-forming process. He has said it is important to secure the understanding, support and involvement of his own party's deputies before formal talks with other parties begin. The prime minister said the plan is practically finished and will soon be presented to the AS parliamentary group.

Afterwards Kulbergs intends to open talks with prospective coalition partners: the National Alliance (NA) and New Unity (JV).

Election results

AS won 41 seats and became the largest force in the new parliament. NA will hold ten seats and JV seven. Also represented will be Latvia First (17 seats), Sovereign Power/Alliance of Young Latvians (15) and the Progressives (ten).