Ilona Bērziņa, BNN
Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš still hasn’t dropped the idea of expanding the ruling coalition with the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and Progressive party (PRO). By suggesting to bring ZSS, which has ties to and is under influence from Aivars Lembergs, into the government, Kariņš betrays New Unity’s (JV) voters. This also demonstrates to our Trans-Atlantic allies that his party completely disregards the US sanctions imposed on a specific and infamous political figure.
If Kariņš didn’t believe this, the possibility of including a political party under influence from a US-sanctioned person into the ruling coalition would be unthinkable.
The prime minister can keep going on and on about how Lembergs would have no influence over decision-making in the government and how he would not be allowed at the government table for as long as he likes, but this is nothing more than empty talk. If ZZS does not distance itself from Lembergs – and this party has made it clear on multiple occasions they will not – then the addition of the “green farmers” to the ruling coalition would make it crystal clear that
all JV’s talk about battling political corruption has exactly zero value.
Kariņš’s attempts to form a “rainbow-like” government again suggest that behind all this feverish and at times hysteric commotion – criticising partners for their unwillingness to look wider, their focus on holding onto their seats and other selfishness – there could be some yet unknown “backstage deal” with ZZS. Otherwise Kariņš could write himself a poverty certificate – admitting his failure to compose a constructive government for more than six months.
Kariņš generally creates the impression that he cannot do anything on his own, and this is why it is necessary to bring in the grandmaster of political intrigues – “green farmer” – and JV’s left-most liberal niche colleague Progressive party. As Latvian MEP Roberts Zīle mentioned in an interview to Latvijas Avīze at the end of June: “JV is like a husband who got married half a year ago, but then cheated with a virgin, and instead of deciding what to do next, the husband says: maybe let’s build an extended partnership and live together.” Well, ZZS is no “maiden”…
Why do Kariņš and JV need this mess? In certain sense this is a game for the public, to cover people’s eyes to the failures (of the previous and current) government – Latvia being behind the rest of Baltic States economically, the failed port reform, protests from teachers and doctors, as well as other problems. In a manner of speaking, JV with Kariņš at the helm are doing all they can to bring back the sun in the country with help, but his branded “bad guys” – National Alliance and Combined List – are interfering with the process.
The other factor is the simple fear that the current coalition partners could become angry with the PM’s totalitarian and intolerant leadership style, which could potentially lead the end of the coalition. (Let’s not forget that the PM shamed the Minister of Healthcare during a live broadcast of the government’s meeting for performing her duties – asking more funding for her sector). A bigger coalition means more room to maneuver and more chances of staying in power.
During the approval of Kariņš’s government ZZS faction chairman Viktors Valainis mentioned in his debate speech that “there is now room for much wider manoeuvre and there are other coalition-building options that came to light in the coalition-building talks”.
This matches what Zīle said, about how it was known about informal talks between JV and ZZS and PRO as far back as early spring. The PM does not seem to mind about fact that ZZS is a long-standing partners of Aivars Lembergs’ For Latvia and Ventspils (LunV). He also does not seem to mind that Lembergs was the one who signed the cooperation agreement between these two political parties, so it is unlikely the man has no say in this marriage.
Two LunV and Saeima-elected deputies whose votes were decisive in the election of Edgars Rinkēvičs as the new President of Latvia are proof of this. The votes from LunV deputies could also prove decisive if Kariņš decides to compose a new coalition with JV, ZZS and PRO (all together they have 52 votes).
It is possible that the option to replace NA and AS with ZZS and PRO is still on the PM’s agenda. Only in this case it will not be an expanded coalition, rather
a completely new government that deserves a new head.
But will it be Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš? It is too soon to say. However it could be, soon enough the play Leading coalition’s expansion could experience its culmination. Then we will also see how strong the nerves and principles of NA and AS really are. Perhaps we will learn the details of the deal New Unity has with ZZS and Lemberg!
Also read: Opinion | Mr. Kariņš, what does your electorate thinks about the deal with Lembergs?