On Wednesday, the 14th of December, representatives of parties forming the ruling coalition in Latvia – New Unity, Combined List and National Alliance – signed the coalition cooperation agreement.
Representatives of the ruling coalition also signed the declaration of the government of PM Krišjānis Kariņš.
The government declaration stresses that the objective of Kariņš’s government is transformation of the economy to ensure a better life in Latvia. The declaration also stresses that «by enhancing the country’s development path, it is necessary to continue implementing a policy that provides Latvia’s residents security and welfare».
To implement this objective, the government plan states it is necessary to accomplish tasks in five mutually related sectors – security, education, energy, promotion of competitiveness and quality of life.
The declaration mentions that
people are Latvia’s greatest treasure. This is why «we must mobilize to ensure economic growth that will improve quality of life for existing and future generations».
Coalition partners agreed in the fiscal discipline agreement to reduce the government’s general structural deficit to 0.5% of GDP in 2025.
The text of the cooperation agreement signed by 14th Saeima factions on Wednesday mentions:
The parties elected to the 14th Saeima:
associations of parties New Unity (JV), association of parties Combined list (Latvian Green Party, Latvian Association of Regions, Liepaja Party) and National Alliance All for Latvia! – For Fatherland and Freedom/ LNNK (all together and each separately from here on – cooperation partners/cooperation partner), upon taking responsibility over the Saeima and Cabinet of Ministers, agree:
To compose the Cabinet of Ministers in the following composition:
Prime Minister – Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš (JV)
Minister of Defence – Ināra Mūrniece (NA)
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Edgars Rinkēvičs (JV)
Minister of Economics – Ilze Indriksone (NA)
Minister of Finances – Arvils Ašeradens (JV)
Minister of the Interior – Māris Kučinskis (AS)
Minister of Education and Science – Anda Čakša (JV)
Minister of Climate and Energy – Raimonds Čudars (JV)
Minister of Culture – Nauris Puntulis (NA)
Minister of Welfare – Evika Siliņa (JV)
Minister of Transport – Jānis Vitenbergs (NA)
Minister of Justice – Inese Lībiņa-Egnere (JV)
Minister of Health – Līga Meņģelsone (AS)
Minister of Environment Protection and Regional Development – Māris Sprindžuks (AS)
Minister of Agriculture – Didzis Šmits (AS)
to ensure implementation of the Declaration of the Cabinet of Ministers planned actions,
to found collegial, constructive and cohesive cooperation and balance mechanisms to ensure cooperation between factions elected to the 14th Saeima,
to avoid negative consequences that could come from mutually uncoordinated actions of cooperation partners or attempts to dominate over other partners, the agreement details ethical standards for cooperation, coordination of decisions, mutual responsibility, duties and rights.
The document also details general cooperation principles, rules for mutual cooperation, the rights of deputies of partnered factions and non-faction affiliated deputies, the rights and duties of the prime minister, as well as various other cooperation-related rules.
Also read: Two ruling coalition parties at Riga City Council go their separate ways