Progressive Party, which is currently in the opposition in Latvia, may try to slightly soften their position on certain topics in order to get a post in the government, said Riga Stradins University lecturer Lelde Metla-Rozentāle in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds.
She said Progressive Party would definitely benefit from entering the government, and because of this reason the party would be prepared to not actively propose their ideas on various topics that are unlikely to find support from coalition partners. This includes family affairs and inclusive society-related topics.
If Progressive Party is given such an opportunity and they are ready to put their initiatives “on hold”,
then they could potentially become eligible to receive the seat of the minister of foreign affairs.
The National Alliance wants this post as well, the politologist comments, adding that the two political parties have strong candidates to suggest. From the National Alliance the candidate could be Rihards Kols, whereas Progressive Party may propose chairman of Saeima’s European Affairs Committee Andris Sprūds.
According to Metla-Rozentāle, New Unity may use the seat of the minister of foreign affairs to influence the National Alliance in negotiations for the coalition’s possible expansion. “This means that if National Alliance wants this seat, they have to be prepared to agree to certain conditions, […] or they refuse, and then New Unity moves on to the Progressive Party,” explains the politologist.
She stressed that residents have definitely benefited from the recent presidential elections, because
now there are various coalition models possible.
This forces politicians to pull themselves together and fight to maintain their positions and concentrate less on their own interests, which means more dynamic political work from now on.
New Unity will benefit as well, because this party now has multiple choices of potential partners to add to the government. The politologist says potential coalition partners are prepared for different cooperation models.
Metla-Rozentāle previously told LETA that the government in Latvia will transform after presidential elections. The question remains how the National Alliance could respond if Progressive Party or Union of Greens and Farmers become closer to the government.
According to her, the current coalition was not able to cooperate in the presidential elections. Union of Greens and Farmers and Progressive Party demonstrated the ability to cooperate by supporting New Unity’s candidate, Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs. This aspect could allow New Unity to initiate a possible government expansion. It is important to wait for the reaction from Combined List and National Alliance, said Metla-Rozentāle.
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