Because of the participation of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and Progressive Party in destabilisation of the situation with their vote against Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, the Combined List (AS) sees no reason to negotiate with these parties on a government level, said one of this party’s leaders, Saeima speaker Edvards Smiltēns in his interview to the media.
On the level of Latvia’s parliament there is already cooperation with the opposition in various committees. For example, all parliamentarians are invited to attend the conference for energy strategy organised by Andris Kulbergs and AS, said Smiltēns.
He stressed that on Thursday, the 15th of June, there was a notable vote against the opposition’s voiced no confidence for the PM.
The politician stressed that “the Saeima has discussed, decided and made it a duty” to the continue working in the existing coalition, which consists of New Unity, Combined List and National Alliance.
“Should we as reliable coalition partners negotiate with those who have just voiced no confidence towards Kariņš?” Smiltēns rhetorically asked,
pointing towards the no confidence vote from ZZS and Progressive Party.
The Saeima speaker believes the priorities of both the PM and AS can be discussed and pushed forward in the government ruled by the existing coalition.
Smiltēns also said he sees no reason why Progressive Party and ZZS would ever want to work together with AS and NA –
the politician says he has noticed attempts in public space to discredit two out of three coalition partners by spreading conspiracy theories, rumours and, perhaps, even lies.
Unity of the coalition is especially important in a time when opposition politicians Ainārs Šlesers (LPV) and Aleksejs Rosļikovs (For Stability) are attempting to destabilise the situation towards the possible dissolution of the Saeima, said Smiltēns.
As previously reported,
the next negotiation stage between parties could take place on the 21st of June.
It is expected it could be attended by only three parties – New Unity, ZZS and Progressive party. The National Alliance and the Combined List have no plans to attend it.
On the 19th of June there will be a coalition meeting attended by New Unity, Combined List and National Alliance.
The existing coalition consists of New Unity, National Alliance and Combined List. However, shortly after the presidential elections in Latvia, in which coalition parties failed to agree on support for a single candidate, Kariņš commenced negotiations about a possible expansion of the coalition with ZZS and Progressive Party. National Alliance and Combined List object to this.
Also read: National Alliance and Combined List won’t participate in the five-party talks