Šlesers: Ideological Issues Should Be Settled in Saeima Votes, Not Government Talks

Ainārs Šlesers, chair of the Saeima faction of the party Latvia First (LPV), has said his party will keep its ideological demands out of talks on forming Latvia's next government. He made the remarks on Thursday, 5 November, in an interview on Latvian Television's morning programme "Rīta panorāma". The position matters because negotiations are under way on a new coalition and a working majority in the Saeima, Latvia's parliament.

Economy as the priority

Šlesers explained that the main issues in government talks are the economy and a stable parliamentary majority for passing decisions. Where the parties' views differ, he said, solutions should be sought through votes in the Saeima. "Ideology should stay in the Saeima," the politician said.

Popularly elected president and other issues

He named a popularly elected president as one of LPV's aims. The party hopes to win a Saeima majority for the proposal, but if that fails, LPV would accept the outcome.

Šlesers spoke in a similar vein about the money accumulated in the second pillar of the pension system, as well as the party's stance on family and gender issues. He allowed that parties in the next coalition could have free votes on some issues.

Offer to Kulbergs

Šlesers also stressed that making economic decisions would require a prior agreement and stable support in parliament. In his view, cooperation with LPV could provide that for prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs of the United List (AS).