Riga City Council’s ruling coalition has no way to continue other than talking to each other and putting their differences aside, said politologist Juris Rozenvalds.
He said the “scuffle in Riga city council is no joke”, but the coalition has no way to continue other than talking to one another and forgiving mutual insults.
A new coalition without Par/Progressive faction is technically possible, but it is unlikely to be a viable alternative, said Rozenvalds.
The politologist allowed that in the end mutual insults may be put aside, because otherwise it is difficult to see any political logic – what political forces want to achieve.
According to Rozenvalds, there are two options – going back to friendly relations and continuing to work together, or organise snap elections.
The politologist said everyone is afraid of snap elections, but others are even more afraid.
New Unity, National Alliance/Latvian Association of Regions and Kods Rīgai may be afraid of snap elections the most. Progressive Party may have hopes to increase their presence in the city council, said the politologist.
Additionally, Rozenvalds believes that Latvia in First Place with Ainārs Šlesers at the helm would benefit the most from snap elections.
As it is known, after the conflict about the investigation of the Transport Department, the ruling coalition of Riga City Council has split. Even Mayor of Riga Mārtiņš Staķis has announced his decision to step down amid this political turmoil. Vice-Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis has been appointed as acting chairman of the city council.
Also read: Vilnis Ķirsis may be appointed as acting mayor of Riga