Latvia’s new government could still be formed by the country’s Independence Day celebrations, President Edgars Rinkēvičs believes.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the pace of government formation, Rinkēvičs told Latvian Television’s morning programme Rīta panorāma that, in his ideal scenario, a new government would be formed by Independence Day and the state budget adopted by Christmas.
According to the president, that scenario remains achievable.
However, Rinkēvičs acknowledged that his “ideal world may differ from the real world”.
The president believes there were objective and well-founded reasons why coalition negotiations did not begin this week.
He described the current political situation as unique, with one political force holding 41 parliamentary seats and widespread public demand for a different approach to politics.
Rinkēvičs stressed that such circumstances also require solutions that go beyond conventional political arrangements.
The president expressed hope that negotiations on forming the next government would begin next week.
“I think the mission of forming a government by Independence Day is entirely possible and achievable,” Rinkēvičs said.
He also indicated that he would take action if necessary.
“However, at the moment, I see neither the need nor the desire to start speculating about matters that can absolutely be resolved through the normal political process,” the president emphasised.
As previously reported, Rinkēvičs also stated in the middle of last week that he was satisfied with the pace of preparations for forming the next government.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the United List (AS) plans to meet early next week with all 41 United List MPs elected to the next Saeima to discuss his proposed reform agenda and the government formation process,
LETA has learned.
Kulbergs has emphasised that before beginning formal negotiations with other political parties, he considers it essential to secure the understanding, support and involvement of MPs from his own political alliance.
The prime minister has indicated that his proposed plan is virtually complete and will soon be presented to the entire United List parliamentary group.
Following the meeting with United List MPs, Kulbergs intends to begin negotiations with potential coalition partners, the National Alliance (NA) and New Unity (JV).
After the elections to the 15th Saeima, President Rinkēvičs entrusted Kulbergs with leading the process of forming the next government.
The United List won 41 seats in the election, becoming the largest political force in the new parliament.
The National Alliance secured ten seats, while New Unity won seven.
Other parties represented in the next Saeima will include Latvia First (LPV) with 17 seats, Sovereign Power/Young Latvians Alliance (SV/AJ) with 15 seats, and the Progressives with ten seats.