New surnames have surfaced in discussions held by Latvian government about the next President of the Bank of Latvia, as reported by LTV programme “Panorāma”.
Among the candidates for this high post is the head of the Fiscal Discipline Council, University of Latvia professor and director of the Master’s study programme “European studies” Inna Šteinbuka. She may receive support from both the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and New Unity.
Other candidates include Citadele Bank’s council member Daiga Auziņa-Melalksne, as wells Swedbank’s Senior Economist in Latvia Līva Zorgenfreija.
The programme notes that parties part of the ruling coalition have promised to reach an agreement on the next candidate to lead the Bank of Latvia this week.
Although parties refrain from comments, there is word of certain preferred candidates behind the scenes.
In an interview to “Šodienas jautājums” [Today’s issue] programme, Saeima deputy Ainars Šlesers said his party – Latvia in First Place – will not support any candidate who has worked at the Bank of Latvia, as the institution is in crisis and is in need of revision. He said his party may consider other candidates.
Saeima deputy from “Progressives” Andris Šuvajevs mentioned that the deadline for candidate proposals is the 31st of January. He did say, however, that he hopes the coalition will make a public announcement sooner. Šuvajevs stressed that any proposed candidate needs to be at leas equal to former President of the Bank of Latvia Mārtiņš Kazāks.
“Panorāma” reported on Wednesday, the 15th of January, that two more candidates are considered for the high post: the Director of the State Treasury Kaspars Āboliņš and guest researcher at the Peterson Institute for International Economics Elīnas Ribakova.
Bank of Latvia Council Member Kristīne Černaja-Mežmale was unofficially mentioned among the candidates as well.
Current Bank of Latvia Council representative Santa Purgaile is among possible candidates as well. However, her chances of getting this post are relatively small, LTV reports.
The head of Finance Latvia Association Uldis Cērps is unlikely to get the job, because various factions are critical about his performance.
Meanwhile, Uldis Rutkaste, former Head of the Monetary Policy Department of the Bank of Latvia, has applied as a candidate himself.
The “Combined List” opposition party decided to go forward with their plan to have Mārtiņš Kazāks run for another term. However, his chances to get the post again are considered low, LTV notes.
LETA previously reported that the last round of negotiations concerning the next President of the Bank of Latvia had no result, as parties failed to agree on any cancidate.
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