The Combined List (AS) expects explanations from New Unity (JV) if what is going on now can be considered negotiations for a possible expansion of the coalition, said AS Saeima faction leader Edgars Tavars.
He said currently it is not know officially, but one interpretation suggests the ongoing negotiations are related to the topic of the possible expansion of the coalition. AS Saeima faction chairman stressed – because JV has not called these negotiations as official coalition expansion negotiations, this term cannot be applied to the ongoing negotiations with the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and the Progressive Party (PRO).
Tavars said his party and the National Alliance (NA) believe in this parliament the coalition consisting of JV, AS and NA is optimal already.
He stressed that AS sees no reasons to participate in talks about “alleged” tasks, which could also end with the coalition’s expansion.
“We want to hear the truth – will this coalition last or should we prepare for its collapse? It is difficult to add a new political party to the existing coalition.
In this situation, it is possible the existing government needs to fall, and we have to create a new and bigger coalition in its stead,” said AS Saeima faction leader.
The politician stressed – if it is made clear these negotiations are about involving the opposition and cooperation in the Saeima to ensure proposals from the opposition are added to legislative initiatives, AS would have joined negotiations. However, if negotiations are related to the expansion of the coalition, then participation in such negotiations means intentional undermining of the government.
“I have no mandate to do that. My mandate and duty is to do all I can to ensure everything listed in the government’s declarations is implemented, such as allocation of 12% of the sate budget towards the healthcare sector.
We are working on that, and we have already accomplished much. This is our shared result. It’s not an ultimatum from AS,” said Tavars.
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