Šuvajevs: Government formation led by Kulbergs has stalled, no talks held

Andris Šuvajevs, co-chair of the Latvian party "Progresīvie" (Progressives), criticised the course of forming Latvia's next government on Thursday on Latvian Television's morning programme "Rīta panorāma". In his view, the inaction has already gone on too long. The process is being driven by Andris Kulbergs of the political alliance "Apvienotais saraksts" (United List, AS), which holds a large faction in the new Saeima, Latvia's parliament. This matters because a new government cannot be formed without talks between the parties.

No talks under way

Šuvajevs acknowledged that there is no need to rush. The problem, he said, is that talks between political forces are not happening at all. At first he could understand the pause, since AS had to organise its large parliamentary faction. Now, he said, the situation is different, and there may be difficulties within AS itself in agreeing on something.

Kulbergs has promised to talk with all factions of the new Saeima, but the Progressives have not yet received an invitation, Šuvajevs said. He repeated that the party is ready to work in government, but is equally ready to remain in opposition.

Assessment of Kulbergs' work

According to Šuvajevs, there have been no concrete actions or plans in three weeks of government formation. He ironically noted that almost the only known concrete item is Kulbergs' participation in a local rally race. The politician said Kulbergs may look confused, while his party could be "drunk on power" and the number of seats it won.

Šuvajevs also judged that Kulbergs has had few successes so far. As an example, he cited the announced fight against grain from aggressor states, which he said has fizzled out. First came loud promises to halt grain transit, then an admission that nothing can be done, then a promise to seek a solution at European level. No success is visible in the latest European Council decisions, Šuvajevs concluded.