Following a request from the Combined List (AS) political party, Latvian prime minister candidate Evika Siliņa decided to hold a pause in government formation talks.
According to her, AS asked for more time to make the decision in regards to the creation of the new government. She did not say what exactly AS plans to decide on during this pause.
When asked by LETA if AS is expected to say they are prepared to work in the same government together with the Progressive Party and National Alliance (NA), Siliņa said: “I’m waiting for their decision, whether they are prepared to work in the widest possible coalition we can offer. It is their duty to decide if they are prepared to work or not. I won’t wait for long if there are any lengthy discussions.”
With respect to the request from AS, there will be no official talks held with other parties on Tuesday. At the same time, however, informal consultations will continue, said Siliņa.
As previously reported, last week parties mostly talked about the two possible four-party coalition models, in which the core would include New Unity (JV), Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and AS. The big question is which one other party should be included – the National Alliance or Progressive Party – as the fourth member of the coalition.
AS until now have stressed they want to continue working in the existing coalition, but not at any cost.
AS politicians stress they wan to preserve the existing coalition, which consists of JV, AS and NA. However, the party has yet to say if they want to work in a coalition that does not include NA.
When asked about the choice between NA and Progressive Party if a four-party coalition is composed, Siliņa told journalists last week that five parties cannot share the new coalition because NA does not want to work with the Progressive Party.
During the first run of official negotiations, Siliņa invited representatives of four parties to meet and attempt to agree on a possibly wider coalition.
Politicians remain sceptical that five parties involved in coalition formation talks will reach an agreement. The next question is which party or parties will be “thrown overboard”.
Aside from JV, negotiations are attended by AS, ZZS, NA and Progressive Party.
NA and Progressive Party are categorically opposed to working together in a single government. This means only one of these two parties could be included in the new coalition.
Siliņa previously said she sees a possibility of a four-party government in two combinations – one includes Progressive Party and the other includes the National Alliance. At the same time, the prime minister candidate said “other variations” are possible to secure the new government at least 51 votes.
Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs nominated Siliņa to compose the new government.
Also read: Politologist says Latvia’s new government may be composed without National Alliance and Progressive Party