In response to «blackmail attempt» by the National Alliance, Latvia’s Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš has decided to request dismissal for Minister of Economics Jānis Vitenbergs.
National Alliance will be able to pick a new candidate for the post of Minister of Economics of Latvia. At the same time, Kariņš allows for the possibility of NA deciding on their own which of their ministers should be replaced. The PM explained that Vitenbergs was picked because he’s the «youngest» NA minister.
At his 16 May press-conference, Kariņš said he sees political blackmail in NA’s demand to dismiss Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva. Otherwise NA threatened to leave the government.
The PM said the goal is restoring political balance. This is why NA needs to replace one of its own ministers.
Since NA did not name any ministers they would be willing to replace on their own, Kariņš decided to request dismissal for the «youngest» NA minister both age and office-wise – Viternbergs.
Kariņš said the government cannot function with such «blackmail», because it would open the way for every partner to take the «path of ultimatums», which would essentially paralyse the government.
«Without replacing ministers, it is not possible to ensure balance in the coalition, because the government’s stability relies on having a full team and majority support in the Saeima. In this case balance was knocked out. This is my offer to ensure the government is quickly re-balanced,» explained the politician.
In accordance with the coalition’s agreement, the PM will request Vitenbergs’ resignation two days from now if now new information surfaces.
Read also: Latvian minister resigns: I don’t think I should be ashamed of the work that I’ve done
On 16 May Latvian Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva announced her decision to step down and return to work in the Saeima.