First Week of Latvian Coalition Talks: Smiltēns Wants Posts Decided Last

The first week of talks on forming Latvia's new government has ended without clarity on the make-up of the coalition or the distribution of ministerial posts. Andris Kulbergs of the party alliance "United List" (AS), nominated for prime minister, has met with New Unity (JV), the National Alliance (NA) and the Progressives. The sides have reached conceptual agreement on several issues.

Priorities before posts

Edvards Smiltēns, one of the AS leaders, told the news agency LETA that partners were given a list of several difficult decisions and nearly all proposals received support. He stressed that the talks produced a shared understanding on the need to put state finances in order, review the work of public administration and carry out reforms.

Smiltēns said the question of posts will be decided last, and that even with partners there are no concrete agreements on ministerial positions yet. "The fat years are over," he said, adding that agreement must first be reached on unpopular decisions, and only then on officials able to carry them out.

Disagreement with New Unity

The only issue on which JV objected is state funding for political parties. Smiltēns argues that, as a matter of solidarity, parties should contribute to society, so state funding could be reduced slightly, which would also lower overall state spending.

JV has publicly voiced concern about the course of the talks. Former prime minister and Saeima member Evika Siliņa (JV) said earlier that it is hard to understand where the process is heading and that the party does not feel it is fully taking part in forming the coalition.

Saeima Presidium

According to information available to LETA, consultations are also under way on the composition of the 15th Saeima Presidium. Smiltēns is being put forward for Speaker of the Saeima. Raimonds Vējonis (AS), Linda Liepiņa (Latvia First, LPV), Ināra Mūrniece (NA) and Antoņina Ņenaševa (Progressives) could also hold seats in the Presidium. No seat is currently planned for JV.

The talks are due to continue next week, when Kulbergs will also meet representatives of LPV.