Expansion of the existing coalition would provide a more dynamic way forward when it comes to government priorities, said New Unity (JV) leader, Latvian Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens in an interview to Latvijas Radio on Thursday, the 1st of June.
He stressed that the Prime Ministers had made multiple attempts to convince coalition partners to agree on a presidential candidate, but this invitation was ignored. This is why the current outcome, under which the coalition’s composition is now under question, is only logical.
The politician compared the government to a train, some cars of which are stuck, but the locomotive – the PM – is all fine.
Ašeradens said JV will propose working in an expanded coalition, in which the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) is one of the partners. The current government should not step down, because there is no need to rush things. First it is necessary to sit down with partners and make things clear, said JV board member.
As previously reported, shortly after the election of the next President of Latvia, Latvia’s PM Krišjānis Kariņš told journalists he plans to commence negotiations with existing partners about a possible expansion of the coalition, which may include ZZS and Progressive Party. Negotiations may commence on Friday, the 2nd of June.
Kariņš did not comment on the possible changes to the government on Wednesday, the 31st of May. When asked if presidential elections could bring about some changes to the government, the PM said he may comment on that around Friday, when “emotions will have calmed down”.
JV’s Saeima faction leader Ainars Latkovskis said he has no information about this. He did say, however, that there will be negotiations, and Kariņš will be leading them.
Currently it is unclear what these negotiations will be about.
Also read: Politologist predicts Latvian government’s “transformation”