Šlesers: Government without LPV would eventually face New Unity's fate

Ainārs Šlesers, prime ministerial candidate of "Latvia First" (LPV), announced on Saturday that his party is prepared to begin negotiations with the election-winning "Unified List" (AS) on forming a new government, and is reaching out to potential partners.

Šlesers noted that currently available figures are only voter surveys, which may differ from final results, but said AS's victory appears clear regardless. He explained that voters had cast ballots against the policies pursued by "New Unity" (JV), arguing it would be strange to include JV in a new government given the party's responsibility, in his view, for Latvia falling behind other countries.

LPV offers support

The politician confirmed that LPV is ready to support a government led by AS's Edmunds Kulbergs, sharing responsibility for problems, cutting spending and increasing revenue. Šlesers warned that if a government were formed without LPV, it would only be a matter of time before Kulbergs ended up in the same position JV currently finds itself in.

He predicted that "Sovereign Power"/"Movement of New Conservatives" would remain in opposition, and said Kulbergs would face a choice: continue cooperating with JV or build a coalition including AS, LPV, and another strong political force.

Plans for Riga City Council too

Šlesers said LPV intends not only to take part in forming the new national government but also to push for a leadership change at Riga City Council, removing current mayor Vesturs Kleinbergs. He stressed that without LPV's involvement, Kulbergs would be unable to achieve real change, while describing a government including JV and "The Progressives" as disastrous for Latvia.

The politician noted that LPV had gained more support in this election than in the previous Saeima elections, and expressed willingness to move forward, saying the party is not afraid of remaining in opposition.

According to a survey of voters who had cast ballots, conducted by LETA, Latvian Public Media and Riga Stradiņš University, AS is clearly leading the 15th Saeima elections with 35.6% of the vote. LPV, "The Progressives", "Sovereign Power"/"Movement of New Conservatives", the National Alliance and JV could also enter parliament. Official results will be announced by the Central Election Commission.