The head of the Saeima faction of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) Viktors Valainis told LTV programme Rīta panorāma on Tuesday, the 29th of August, that the Combined List (AS) politician party decided to hold a pause in the ongoing coalition-formation negotiations in order “to deal with the National Alliance (NA)”.
According to him, AS politicians should come forth and explain why they are prepared to enter the government and cease supporting the existing core, in which NA is a member. The pause itself “is a tactical game, to secure better positions in talks for posts in the government”. In his interview to LTV journalists, Valainis said that
ZZS has no problems working with AS.
The head of Saeima faction of AS Edgars Tavars denied what ZZS politician said in his interview. Instead, Tavars claims the pause was requested because the entire faction wanted to listen to the opinion of the prime minister candidate. There is also the topic of Lembergs and ways to limit his potential influence over the coalition.
Tavars also stressed his party has nothing against ZZS politicians, adding that his colleagues has good relations with many members of this party. However, following the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, “we now have a different look at Lembergs’ influence on colleagues, […] this is a matter of national security,” said the head of AS in an interview to LTV.
Also read: Combined List party asks for a pause in government formation talks in Latvia