Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV) met on Tuesday with three candidates for vacant ministerial positions, outlining their work priorities in case of approval, according to her statement on the platform “X.”
Siliņa met with the candidate for Minister of Transport,Atis Švinka (P), a Saeima deputy and parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Defense (MoD). She emphasized that the new Transport Minister’s main tasks include developing port and railway plans, as well as ensuring the public offering of Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic.
The Prime Minister also met with the candidate for Minister of Welfare, Reinis Uzulnieks (ZZS), who currently serves as the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Welfare. Siliņa stated that the main goal for the Welfare Minister is to develop a clearer demographic and social benefits policy, as well as to address employment issues.
Additionally, Siliņa met with Dace Melbārde (JV), the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and candidate for Minister of Education and Science. She noted that the key priorities for the Education Minister include launching the funding model “Program in School”, as well as systematically developing and structuring higher education and the sports sector.
The Prime Minister stressed that the ministerial candidates are continuing discussions with Saeima factions so that the deputies can confirm the new ministers later this week.
As previously reported, in an effort to “restart” her government, Prime Minister Siliņa dismissed Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens (P), Minister of Education Anda Čakša (JV), and Minister of Welfare Uldis Augulis (ZZS) on February 21. Their ministerial duties ended on February 26.
On March 3, following a ruling coalition cooperation meeting, Siliņa stated that all coalition partners had confirmed their readiness to continue working together and had agreed on three new ministerial candidates.
She added that the Saeima will vote on the new ministers on Thursday.