Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs does not reveal his plan if the government fails to reach a clear position in regards to the future of the ruling coalition by the end of August.
“I will leave it as a potential surprise for when the time comes for us to act,” the president told journalists after meeting with Latvian PM Krišjānis Kariņš on Friday, the 14th of July.
The president said he expects politicians from the government and the opposition participating in negotiations to approach this process responsibly
and finally understand that August was not picked randomly, as it marks the start of the budget process.
Rinkēvičs also mentioned it is important to make it clear as quickly as possible what kind of budget Latvia can expect in 2024. According to the president, ministries were told previously that they are to come up by proposals for the school network, tax reforms and healthcare guidelines by the end of August.
“It has to be a government that knows how to continue moving forward,” said the president.
“I don’t want to run ahead, because this would ruin the potential surprise in case something goes wrong,” said Rinkēvičs, adding that there is still a whole month left.
He said he is well-informed about the PM’s vision on what has been done so far and what the plan is for the future.
“We will wait for active work and action for a month,” the president told journalists.
The PM, meanwhile, mentions that this Friday there was an interesting and positive meeting with Combined List’s Saeima faction and ministers. Kariņš confirmed consultations continue. According to the PM, he has put and will keep putting on the table tasks the government and the coalition have to complete to ensure the transformation of the economy in the country.
“My schedule coincides with what the president said, that the situation should become clear by mid-August. I can confirm that the government will be very stable in any situation. I looked for a way to ensure the biggest possible dynamic, to move forward with various tasks more quickly,” said Kariņš.
As previously reported, New Unity, National Alliance and the Combined List are currently in the ruling coalition. However, after presidential elections, Kariņš commenced negotiations in regards to possible expansion of the coalition with the Union of Greens and Farmers and the Progressive Party. New Unity’s coalition partners National Alliance and Combined List object to this.
Kariņš previously mentioned he wants to see the coalition expanded to speed up work on the school network reformation, improvement of the situation in healthcare, labour force affairs, release of state companies’ shares on the exchange, as well as the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.
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