Progressive Party to invite both Combined List and National Alliance for coalition talks

Latvian Progressive Party plans to invite representatives from both the National Alliance (NA) and the Combined List (AS) next week to discuss possible cooperation, as LTV programme Rīta Panorāma was told by the party’s leader Kaspars Briškens.
«I have professional experience in diplomacy. I believe in face to face conversations. We plan to invite the National Alliance and Combined List next week,» he said.
He also explained that his party is working on outlining priorities they believe the state should address as quickly as possible.

«We are on the same page with New Unity when it comes to practically all topics. This is why we want to continue the dialogue with other political parties,» he added.

As for ideological differences mentioned this week, Briškens explained that the myths spread during the pre-election period have since been put to rest.
«We stress that topics like rule of law, fight against corruption, fight for good management are not ideological topics – they either are or are not,» he added.
After meeting with AS this week NA leader Raivis Dzintars said his party and AS do not see any other cooperation model for the 14th Saeima. Both political parties are ‘absolutely united’ in their position that the new government must consist of three parties – New Unity, National Alliance and Combined List.

AS leader Uldis Pīlēns confirmed what Dzintars said – that his party and NA both agree the coalition should consist of three parties.

The politician stressed that there is no time to waste and coalition formation talks should be continued next Monday.
New Unity leader Krišjānis Kariņš, meanwhile, has said there are no insurmountable obstacles in the way to forming a four-party coalition.
BNN previously reported that seven political parties were elected to the 14th Saeima: New Unity (26 seats), Union of Greens and Farmers (16 seats), Combined List (15 seats), National Alliance (13 seats), For Stability! (11 seats), Latvia in First Place (9 seats), and Progressive Party (10 seats).