Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) sees opportunities for closer cooperation in accomplishing several tasks after the meeting with Progressive Party leaders.
Kariņš stated that both parties have a similar vision of the necessary reforms. The PM has previously indicated that reforms should be carried out in the organization of school networks, in labor issues, in the promotion of state capital companies to the stock exchange, and in social issues, that is, the ratification of the Istanbul Convention “as a symbolic but deeply significant gesture of the Saeima” and the implementation of the decision of the Constitutional Court, which is related to a civil union.
In the future, both sides could discuss the issue of healthcare financing or the introduction of health insurance in more detail.
Also, the view of the Progressive Party about budget-making was heard.
When asked if there could be clarity on the progress towards the expansion of the coalition in June or the first half of July, Kariņš stated that both he and the public are interested in a faster process. The negotiations will determine the speed of resolution of this issue, the head of government added.
Progressive Party wants to get a clear vision of coalition expansion already in June.
On the 9th of June after a meeting with the PM and other New Unity politicians, the co-chairman of Progressives, Andris Šuvajevs positively evaluated the conversation about opportunities for closer cooperation.
New Unity will address the issue with Aivars Lembergs and his possible impact on the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) in talks with ZZS on Friday, the 9th of June.
It has already been reported that Kariņš emphasized that his goal is not to leave the current coalition, but to involve additional forces in it, keeping both coalition partners.
Currently, New Unity, the National Alliance (NA), and the Combined List are in the ruling coalition, but after the presidential elections, in which the coalition parties were unable to agree on support for one candidate, Kariņš has started negotiations on a possible expansion of the coalition with ZZS and the Progressives.
National Alliance and Combined List oppose the expansion of the coalition.