There is talk behind the scenes that it is possible the Ministry of Health may go to New Unity (JV), whereas the Ministry of Culture may go to the Progressive Party (PRO), according to unofficial information available to LETA.
If this is the case PRO may propose Riga City Council deputy Agnese Logina for the post. Logina graduated from Latvian Academy of Culture with Master’s degree in humanitarian sciences and from Amsterdam University College with a Bachelor’s degree in the same area.
In this situation the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) may get the Ministry of Climate and Energy.
The possibility of Ministry of Health potentially going to JV is largely tied to the fact that this party is already in charge of the Ministry of Finance.
As previously reported, the wave of negativity about certain unofficially suggested minister candidates has forced certain politicians make more cautious comments about the possible distribution of seats in the new government.
Some politicians have decided to wait for official offers to take seats before making any comments.
One such case of public outrage involved Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) Gunārs Kūtris’ possible candidacy for the post of Minister of Culture. After this “announcement”, representatives of the culture sector requested a different candidate.
When Progressive Party allowed for the possibility of Andris Sprūds becoming the party’s candidate for the post of Minister of Defence, there were objections voiced due to his past comments about Russia and Ukraine.
If ZZS is offered the seat of Minister of Economy, one of the candidates the party could offer is Saeima deputy Kaspars Melnis. LTV programme Panorāma previously reported he might make a good candidate.
It is also mentioned that aside from Melnis, ZZS has another potential candidate – Saeima deputy Harijs Rokpelnis.
Uldis Augulis is mentioned as a potential candidate for the post of Minister of Welfare, as he has experience working in this post.
According to unofficial information, JV may suggest Rihards Kozlovskis for the post of Minister of the Interior if he agrees.
The Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development could go to JV’s Inga Bērziņa.
For the post of Saeima speaker ZZS may suggest its parliamentary faction leader Viktors Valainis.
At the same time, it is not excluded that Valainis may be offered a seat in the government.
It is also mentioned that Armands Krauze (ZZS) may be approached as a potential candidate for the post of Minister of Agriculture.
Krišjānis Kariņš is eyed for the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs. If this is the case, the head of Saeima’s European Affairs Committee Andris Sprūds may take the post of Minister of Defence.
The third post that may go to Progressive Party may be the seat of the Minister of Transport, which could be given to Kaspars Briškens, who has experience working in the transport sector, including experience with Rail Baltica project.
Candidates and distribution of seats in the government will be discussed in more detail as negotiations progress.
As it is known, JV, ZZS and PRO are actively working to compose a new coalition in Latvia under prime minister candidate Evika Siliņa. Last week parties met to discuss the new government’s declaration, coalition agreement and the list of immediate tasks to complete by December and January.
Also read: ZZS member: I don’t want any minister’s post in the new government