If the Combined List (AS) fails to present an answer to New Unity’s (JV) suggested distribution of seats in the forming government in Latvia, formation of the ruling coalition in the country may fall through.
After his meeting with Combined List representatives held on 9 November, New Unity leader Krišjānis Kariņš said he hopes AS will accept his proposed distribution of seats in the government before the end of the week. At the same time, if AS fails to present a reply, it risks undermining the coalition formation process.
AS representatives Edvards Smiltēns, Edgars Tavars and Uldis Pīlēns say that instead it is more important to work on future tasks of the future government and agree on what needs doing in each sector.
Kariņš, on the other hand, stressed that the government formation process will not move forward until as reply from AS is received.
He said the meeting with AS representatives was a positive experience, considering how important cooperation is in the coalition formation process. The three-party coalition would have 54 votes in the Saeima. This means no room for mistakes or internal conflicts, said the PM.
JV member also said the recent round of discussions has helped outline certain differences in political culture, when people understand the same words differently. Kariņš asked AS to consider if they agree with his proposal for the distribution of seats in the forming government. The politician allows for the possibility of AS disagreeing with and rejecting the offer.
The head of the forming government said that if an agreement is reached on the distribution of seats, the government declaration work group is able to move forward with inviting members of the forming coalition from the Saeima.
Smiltēns, on the other hand, cited JV’s position voiced in the year 2018, in which the party claimed seats in ministries cannot be distributed before an agreement is reached in regards to future goals of the forming government. He stressed that Kariņš has the means to ask financial specialists to check if the planned tasks are financially and fiscally realistic.
Kariņš stressed that ‘in order to move forward at all’ it is first necessary to agree on distribution of spheres of influence. AS, he said, has yet to agree to this. The PM stressed he will not move forward with the government’s formation until all partners are on board. Once the outline of responsibilities becomes clear, it will be possible to discuss tasks in healthcare and other sectors, said the PM.
Kariņš added President Egils Levits agrees with this approach.
When asked if this means plans for a three-party coalition is no longer on the agenda and that a new coalition will have to be formed, Smiltēns said the three-party memorandum remains in play and that «other agreements» remain binding as well. AS representatives did not comment if their party is prepared to take initiative in the government formation process.
Kariņš and AS have opposite views on moving forward. There are some obstacles in the way to forming the new government in Latvia.
The press-conference that followed the meeting between Kariņš and AS was, possibly, the longest one in the government formation process so far. During this press-conference, politicians tried to explain to journalists the finer points of the ongoing negotiations.
AS politician Uldis Pīlēns on Tuesday, 8 November, the invitation for the meeting was extended to discuss Kariņš’s previous offer on distribution of seats in the government.
Pīlēns suggests implementing an «effective government model» with inter-party and inter-sectoral cooperation in management of ministries. «To ensure solidarity and cohesive team work, all partners of the government should participate in equal development of all sectors. This can be achieved through our suggested ministry management approach,» said the representative of AS.
Politicians say that the next government will have to deal with sectors suffering from lasting and unresolved problems, adding that massive financial investments will be necessary to resolve them.
As proposes forming a special group to discuss appropriate funding of healthcare, education, interior and welfare sectors. One reason for this suggestions is to probe partners opinions. The party also suggests composing energy, security and competitiveness committees so that it is possible to put together coordinated and efficient policies in these priority sectors. The party suggests including ministers in these committees.
For Latvia to successfully overcome crises and secure the leading role in development among Baltic States, it is necessary to implement serious changes to the government work model.
Politicians suggest replacing political competition with coordinated action.
According to Pīlēns, Kariņš’s proposal is «one-dimensional», as it provides for agreeing on seats before tackling possible solutions to multiple existing problems. The latter means coming up with a way to ensure Latvia is no longer behind Lithuania and Estonia both in regards to both economic indexes and social benefits.
Additionally, AS stresses the importance of finding a way to lower inflation and promote the use of local energy resources.
One other important topic is the need to reach an agreement in regards to digitisation and entrusting ministries to at least two ministries under the principle of shared responsibility. If this approach is not implemented, Latvia will have to remain with the existing and socially unacceptable «feudal» system, under which parties and ministries do not cooperate with one another, said the politician.
Pīlēns said AS faction has a meeting planned with Kariņš. During this meeting it is planned for both sides to put their vision on the table and exchange arguments.