Prime Minister-designate Andris Kulbergs (United List) will hold no further public meetings on forming Latvia’s new government this week, his communications adviser Elīna Šverna has announced.
Šverna provided no further details about the progress of the negotiations.
Kulbergs concluded the first round of official talks with political parties on Monday, meeting with Latvia First (LPV).
Following those discussions, another round of negotiations was promised, while potential coalition partners also expressed their expectation that consultations would continue with more detailed proposals on the government’s priorities and planned measures.
However, no such public talks are taking place this week.
Meanwhile, speaking on Latvian Television on Tuesday, Kulbergs stated that all options for the composition of the next government remained open.
Three scenarios are currently being discussed as the most realistic: a coalition between the United List (AS), the National Alliance (NA) and New Unity (JV); cooperation between the United List and the National Alliance alone; or a United List minority government that would effectively rely on support from Latvia First.
According to Kulbergs, during the first round of negotiations, he emphasised the seriousness of Latvia’s financial situation and sought to establish whether political parties were prepared to abandon election promises that lacked sufficient financial backing.
He hopes to receive clear answers to these questions during the next round of talks with parliamentary groups.
Several participants in the negotiations, however, have pointed out that Kulbergs’ proposed austerity measures lacked concrete details.
Kulbergs has expressed hope that he will be able to present a model for the new Cabinet by Latvia’s Independence Day in mid-November.
At the same time, he has dismissed speculation that the composition of the Presidium of the 15th Saeima could reflect the structure of the future governing coalition.
New Unity was left without a position in the Presidium, while Latvia First secured one.
Regarding next year’s state budget, Kulbergs has suggested that, in the most optimistic scenario, the Saeima could adopt it by mid-to-late January.
He intends to submit the draft budget alongside a broader package of reforms, which would require additional preparation time.
As previously reported, President Edgars Rinkēvičs tasked United List politician Andris Kulbergs with forming the new government following the first sitting of the 15th Saeima.
The President had already indicated in early October that Kulbergs should be entrusted with forming the government. However, a Prime Minister-designate can only be formally nominated after the outgoing government has resigned.
In the 15th Saeima elections, the United List secured 41 seats, Latvia First (LPV) won 17, the Sovereign Power/Young Latvians Alliance (SV/AJ) obtained 15, the National Alliance secured ten, the Progressives won ten, and New Unity (JV) received seven seats.