President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics has nominated the New Unity (JV) candidate for the post of Prime Minister, the current Minister of Welfare Evika Silina (JV).
In a press conference Rinkevics told that he was confident that Silina is capable to carry out this task quickly. “Silina’s experience and knowledge are a good start to form a functioning Cabinet of Ministers,” said the President of Latvia.
He also noted that in informal consultations that have taken place, including a meeting with representatives of the five parties on Wednesday, the 23rd of August, he was confident that Silina has a good chance of forming the broadest possible Cabinet and gaining support in Parliament.
During the meeting, Silina also expressed her determination to work ensuring that the country’s development goals, including in the economy, education and strengthening security, are close to what officials have discussed in consultations.
THE PRESIDENT HOPES THAT BY MID-SEPTEMBER the TASK OF FORMING A GOVERNMENT WILL BE COMPLETED.
The decision to invite Silina was made by Rinkevics after talks with all the factions this week.
SILINA WAS THE ONLY CANDIDATE OFFICIALLY NOMINATED BY THE PARTIES FOR THE position.
This week, in consultations with the parties Rinkevics discussed the process of forming a new coalition, and the President sought the views of the political forces on the preferred coalition model, possible candidates for the post of Prime Minister, as well as the vision of the long-term and urgent tasks to be carried out by the government.
RINKEVICS SAID ON WEDNESDAY, the 23rd of August, THAT HE WAS “NOT NAIVE” ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIVE-PARTY COALITION, BUT HE COULD easily SEE SEVERAL COMBINATIONS OF THREE OR FOUR PARTIES.
In the President’s view, compared to any three-party coalition option, a broader coalition is not only possible, but also more desirable. This will be a matter for discussion in future negotiations. The President respects the ideological differences between the parties and will not “lock the parties in the palace” until they resolve their differences, but he believes that the parties should step back from their emotions and start negotiations from scratch.
According to Article 56 of the Satversme, the Cabinet of Ministers is formed by a person invited to it by the President of Latvia. According to Article 59 of the Satversme, the future Prime Minister and ministers still need to receive the loyalty of the Saeima.
As reported earlier by BBN, on the 17th of August, Karins submitted a resignation to the President of Latvia.
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