There will be no «easy posts» in the next government. On top of that, we can see parties forming the coalition are already showing signs of «stiffening», said New Unity leader Krišjānis Kariņš in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma on 2 November.
The politician allowed that behind this stiffening is the unwillingness to form a specific kind of government.
Kariņš reminded that New Unity (JV) and National Alliance (NA) have reached an agreement on nearly all topics. However, parties forming the coalition have yet to reach an agreement with the Combined List (AS) in regards to the structure of the next government and specifically the topic of the new Ministry of Energy.
JV’s leader also said Latvia needs this new ministry because the Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development has difficulties dealing with energy-related topics. This is why it is necessary to put together a new ministry.
«Either we finally reach an agreement or those pulling the brakes admit they don’t want this government, because it is possible there is something else behind all this,»
Kariņš said, adding that «on the one hand we have a spirit of cooperation, but on the other hand there is resistance. Either its the unwillingness to work together or something else. I don’t understand the reasons and no one is telling me anything straight.»
Kariņš allowed that the disagreements about creation of a new ministry may be related to the fact that the creation of a new structure means control over part of European Union’s funds will be taken away from existing ministries.
The PM candidate also stressed that there are many challenges the new government will have to face, as work will commence in the middle of a crisis, adding that there will be no «easy posts» at all.
The politician said in the last four years his government was largely focused on the healthcare system, diverting twice as much funding towards this sector than before. However, the system still needs reorganising.
The next government will need to address topics of domestic security and education sector, Kariņš reminded.
When asked which of the parties will be entrusted with the Ministry of Health and whether it has become «toxic» of sorts, since no one really wants to be put in charge of it, Kariņš said he has some ideas about this topic, adding that until parties have agreed on tasks, he will not comment this topic.
At the same time, he does not think this ministry is more toxic than others, considering the challenges other sectors have to deal with.
When asked if JV is prepared to take responsibility over the healthcare sector, Kariņš responded evasively, saying that
JV can take responsibility over everything, but it is highly unlikely other coalition partners would agree to such a solution.
It is expected that JV and AS will convene on 2 November to discuss the topic of Ministry of Energy. This is the only publicly known topics the two parties have yet to agree on.