Author: Ilona Bērziņa/opinion piece
If Latvian political circles stuck to the ideology, morals and ethical norms they themselves promote, it is unlikely New Unity leader Krišjānis Kariņš would have given such a warm and open embrace to Latvia in First Place leader Ainārs Šlesers and he definitely would not have said to him: “I want a selfie with you!”
No one says politicians cannot take selfies with the people they like. But the politician in question is none other than Latvian Minister of Foreign affairs and ex-Prime Minister to boot. This selfie with his “colleague” does not contribute very much to his party’s image. New Unity positions itself as a western-oriented political party that fights oligarchs, categorically rejects any cooperation with Putin’s Russia, and generally looks fairer when compared to other parties. Šlesers’ party Latvia in First Place, meanwhile, has gained the reputation of a business project and pro-Russian party.
Kariņš had once said: “Ever since entering politics, Šlesers has always said that Latvia’s main interests are in the east, not the west.”
Šlesers denies his party is pro-Russian, but this does not mean Latvia in First Place and New Unity share the same values, goals and ideals. Let’s not forget Ainārs Šlesers’ efforts to overthrow the Kariņš – Levits regime by organising protests at the Freedom Monument and Castle of Riga, requesting the dissolution of the Saeima and generally supporting a referendum to dissolve the Saeima. Looking further back, we can see the Central Election Commission received an application for signature collection from Latvia in First Place, Aleksejs Rosļikovs’ For Stability!, as well as political associations like New Latvians Association, People Power, Sovereign Power, People’s Servants for Latvia, Foundation-LV and New Harmony. As we can see, Šlesers has his hands deep in opposition work. But then – suddenly – after a discussion held in Riga’s 1st Gymnasium, his political opponent Krišjānis Kariņš walks up to him, smiling widely, and says: “I want a selfie with you!”
There is no reason for a conspiracy theory that this step from Kariņš could indicate some sort of union between Latvia in First Place and New Unity. There is also no reason to believe this could indicate attempts to test the ice in order to possibly replace Progressive Party with Latvia in First Place. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible this step may cause speculations behind the scenes.
And yet – what if it was nothing more than impulsive action from Kariņš?
Perhaps this was an attempt to “blow up social networks” and divert society’s attention from his private flights scandal to a new, less problematic scandal? Possibly. But is is also possible that it was also a stunt of sorts, a curiosity – like one would take a photo standing next to an elephant or a giraffe in a zoo! (This was not an insult toward Mr. Šlesers).
“The funny Krišjānis Kariņš has become even funnier,” Ainārs Šlesers said about then the PM during the Covid-19 restrictions boom. Now we can rejoice to see how Mr. Kariņš, who has already received a good dose of criticism for his flights with private planes, tries in true Christian fashion to receive a new dose of criticism. Not so much for taking a photo with an opposition politician, but more because his actions undermine voters’ belief that he is a rational and predictable political leader.
There are three months left until the European Parliament elections, but it is entirely possible that this joke – the selfie with Ainārs Šlesers – will cost Kariņš a number of potential votes.
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