Latvian Radio reports that the need to replace certain ministers has been mentioned since November, but more specific suggestions regarding the government’s possible restart are expected to come this week. The replacement of Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens is mentioned the most often. There are two possible versions associated with this, as reported by lsm.lv.
Experts say that one version is that the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) may take over the Ministry of Transport, whereas Progressives could be given the Ministry of Economics instead. The second version, which is supported by deputy head of ZZS faction Augusts Brigmanis, is that the Ministry of Transport should be entrusted to New Unity.
There is no information about any plans to shuffle around other ministries. However, the leader of Progressives faction Andris Šuvajevs told LTV that the Prime Minister is not the only one with the right to evaluate ministers – factions have the same right as well. Progressives plan to evaluate all ministers.
It is worth mentioning that the Combined List and National Alliance are also often mentioned as potential participants in the government coalition. The two parties are currently united in a single bloc in the opposition.
There is a want to work in the government, but not in the government led by Evika Siliņa, said Combined List faction member Māris Kučinskis, lsm.lv reports.
The plan for the government’s restart should come this week. Currently it is unclear if this could happen on Monday after the coalition meeting, the public media reminds.
As BNN was previously told by “Mediju tilts” co-owner, politologist Filips Rajevskis, a number of events highlights the government’s limited ability – from the failed election of the President of the Bank of Latvia, which proved the coalition cannot reach and agreement, and ending with the long period of speculations about the evaluation of ministers.
“The coalition’s major partners are talking about Kaspars Briškens and there are rumours behind the scenes that he just needs to be removed. If there is talk that Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has to solve the Briškens problem, then when translated into human language, it means that the Prime Minister has to replace the Minister of Transport.”
However, taking into account the statement from the leader of Progressives party Saeima faction Andris Šuvajevs in November of last year: “Every “Progressive minister is a coalition stability issue,” it is very likely that Kaspars Briškens’ replacement efforts could be the pothole that will overturn the coalition’s bus.