New Unity’s headed coalition formation talks with the Combined List and National Alliance revealed no insurmountable differences of opinions, as journalists were told by the party’s leader Krišjānis Kariņš on 4 October.
During talks representatives of the three parties discussed topics important for the development of Latvia, including ways to secure more rapid economic growth, the country’s domestic and external security, as well as the education system. Kariņš said this was but the first round of talks.
On 5 October, New Unity plans to meet with the third ‘potential partner’ – Progressive Party.
When asked about objections from the Combined List and National Alliance in regards to letting Progressive Party join, New Unity’s leader said he has listened to both parties’ views on ways to form a three-party coalition.
«Our views differ slightly.»
«Considering the great amount of work, including reforms the country needs, we have to make sure we have a strong majority in the Saeima to implement all of this,» he said, explaining that it is necessary to ensure laws are passed in the form they were submitted by the government.
This can be accomplished only by a strong and wide coalition. Experience shows that a 60-vote coalition can operate in a stable manner, he explained, adding that this would be possible if Progressive Party joined as a fourth coalition member.
New Unity’s leader pointed out that approximately 60 votes would ensure full field coverage, because support in Saeima committees is also necessary to work on legislative drafts.
When asked if Progressive Party could be presented with a separate cooperation agreement, considering objections coming from National Alliance and Combined List, Kariņš said it is too soon to consider alternative deals this early.
The leader of the National Alliance Raivis Dzintars announced after the meeting with New Unity that both parties have different opinions as to the coalition model. His party would like to see a three-party coalition.
When asked if the National Alliance considers any alternative coalition model possible, Dzintars said he is not informed of any. He also denied his party’s block with the Combined List.
Dzintars did not fully agree with the opinion previously voiced by politologists regarding the unwillingness to let Progressive Party join the coalition out of fear of losing seats in ministries.
«It is one consideration, but in this case it is definitely not the most important one,» he said.
During talks with New Unity the National Alliance also proposed several topics on which the party would need to reach an agreement in the government – domestic and foreign security policy; investments into state development, including science, production, exports, productivity and tax policy; energy independence from Russia and resource availability; support for residents to help compensate growth of prices of utilities and inflation; support for national culture and agriculture; demographic goals; wages of teachers, healthcare and interior affairs employees; planned support measures for the least socially protected groups; national policy, including language, citizenship and immigration.
When asked if the National Alliance plans to nominate Kaspars Gerhards for the post of Ministry of Agriculture, as a minister should be a member from the party that received support from residents, as New Unity and the president have said, Dzintars said his party has yet to make up in mind on this. According to him, this will not be the only problematic issue during the government formation process.
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