Ex-Mayor of Ventsils Aivars Lembergs, who is under international sanctions, has spat in the face of Canadian troops stationed at Ādaži base with his statements, said Combined List (AS) political party member Edvards Smiltēns after his meeting with Latvia’s President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
The politician said that a week ago the once PM candidate from the Union of Greens and Farmers released a video on social media.
In this video, according to Smiltēns, Lembergs “makes it clear” that he will be represented in the new government and that US, not Canadian armed forces, will be in Latvia, but not in barracks – in trenches.
“With this he doubts, let me rephrase – spits in the face of Canadian troops currently stationed at Ādaži base and are in charge of the ongoing expanded military presence mission in Latvia. They are prepared to give their lives to defend Latvia,” said the politician.
Speaking to journalists, Smiltēns also mentioned the decisions made during the NATO summit in Madrid, where it was decided that the US will be in charge of the expanded group in Poland, Germany – for the group in Lithuania, Canada – for the group in Latvia, and Britain will be in charge of the group in Estonia.
“Canadians are strategically important. Any kind of insult or discrediting of this kind is a risk for international relations and such missions. We have reached a deal with Canada to increase the battle group’s size to that of a brigade.
This lies at the foundation of Latvia’s national security interests,” said Smiltēns.
In the video published on social media by Lembergs, the politician mentions that the People’s Party and Rudolf Meroni’s Combined List, their leaders – Māris Kučinskis, Smiltēns, Edgars Tavars – are whining, oh dear, what could happen if Lembergs becomes close to the government.
“What will happen indeed! I will insist on having US, not Canadian, contingent. At least 10 000 men, and not in barracks – in trenches. With full gear and armament, so that Latvia has the most modern missile, anti-air and coastal defence system,” Lembergs announced in his video.
LETA previously reported that AS insists on preserving the existing core of the government coalition – New Unity, Combined List and National Alliance. The party also wants guarantees against Lembergs’ possible influence.
This much the AS leaders Smiltēns and Edgars Tavars told journalists after his meeting with President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
The request for guarantees against Lembergs’ possible influence is related to the invitation extended by prime minister candidate Evika Siliņa to the Union of Greens and Farmers to join the coalition.
When asked how it is possible to resolve the controversy about inviting either the National Alliance or the Combined List to the coalition, considering the former is strongly against working together with Progressive Party in the same coalition, Smiltēns said it can be resolved in consultations.
The Saeima speaker also does not agree with the claim that the National Alliance “is out”. He referenced what this party’s politicians have said in public.
The Combined List suggests letting only representatives from JV, AS and NA to take charge over the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Climate and Energy Policy, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance.
This condition is needed “to prevent risks to international reputation and decisions potentially damaging to the state”.
The core consisting of the three aforementioned parties would ensure a dominant majority for political forces that have clearly and unequivocally demonstrated their unshakable position on Latvian security issues and would mitigate any risks of reputation and influence, said the representatives of AS.
The party also invites the introduction of restrictions for persons under international sanctions, including Lembergs, to limit their possible influence over coalition partners.
As it is known, JV member and prime minister candidate Siliņa is waiting for AS to provide its response to her offer to work in a four-party coalition together with JV, ZZS and Progressive party.
Also read: Latvian PM candidate assures minister who cooperate with Lembergs will be dismissed