Rinkēvičs Tasks Andris Kulbergs With Forming Latvia's Next Government

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Wednesday formally entrusted prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs (AS) with forming the country's new government. The decision determines who will lead talks on a coalition and ministerial posts after the elections to the 15th Saeima, Latvia's parliament.

Rinkēvičs had already stated in early October that Kulbergs should form the new government. However, the president formally names a prime minister candidate only after the outgoing government has laid down its powers because the newly elected Saeima has convened.

How it unfolded

The newly elected Saeima held its first sitting on Tuesday. Shortly afterwards, the outgoing government led by Kulbergs announced it was laying down its powers. That allowed the president to take the formal decision on Wednesday.

Election results

In the 15th Saeima elections, AS won 41 seats in parliament. The remaining seats were distributed as follows:

• Latvia First (LPV) – 17;
• the alliance Sovereign Power/Alliance of Young Latvians (SV/AJ) – 15;
• National Alliance – 10;
• Progressives – 10;
• New Unity (JV) – 7.

The source does not say which parties Kulbergs intends to form a coalition with.