Riga City Council needs a broad coalition, not a patchwork of 34 votes, said Ainārs Šlesers, leader of the Latvia First (LPV) party, in an interview on TV3’s “900 Seconds”.
He believes that there is a lack of discussion on economic growth and the work needed to “raise” the capital city. In his view, the people of Riga voted for him to become mayor.
“We can see that cobbling together 34 votes is just that – a patchwork. Look where the country has ended up with 50 votes, plus two bought ones in the Saeima,” Šlesers said.
He is convinced that Riga needs a broader coalition and that all parties with at least one idea for economic development in the capital should sit down at the table together.
“If a strong, broad coalition is not formed, 34 votes won’t be enough,” Šlesers predicted.
He expressed doubt that the “Progressive” candidate for mayor, Viesturs Kleinbergs, will become mayor, claiming that the National Alliance (NA) will block his candidacy, as supporting him would be a “death sentence” for them.
In an earlier interview with Latvian Television’s “Rīta panorāma”, Šlesers also predicted that the coalition talks initiated by Kleinbergs on Monday will fail and that Kleinbergs will not become mayor.
However, Šlesers stated that he would be willing to lead a coalition even with those same political forces.
He also emphasized that LPV will be a “very powerful opposition” and that they will lead people into the streets.
“In essence, the fight for the next Saeima starts today. I propose we work together to lift Riga and Latvia. If not – a campaign for a change of power in the country will begin, and I will lead that process,” Šlesers declared.
Asked whether he would directly approach the parties with an offer, he said: “Consider what I said live on air today as my offer to these parties.”
He added that in the next Saeima elections, he will be LPV’s candidate for Prime Minister.
As previously reported, coalition talks in Riga will begin today, confirmed Viesturs Kleinbergs, mayoral candidate for the “Progressives.”
He stated that he would invite pro-democracy, state-minded parties that won seats in the Riga City Council – NA, New Unity (JV), and the United List (AS) – to the negotiations.
The meetings are scheduled as follows:
- on Monday, the 10th of June at 10:00 – with NA
- on Tuesday, the 11th of June at 10:00 – with New Unity
- on Wednesday, the 12th of June at 10:00 – with the United List
According to provisional results from the Central Election Commission, Latvia First (LPV) received the highest number of votes in Riga’s municipal election, closely followed by the Progressives and NA.
With all precincts counted, LPV received 18.17% of the vote, earning 13 out of 60 seats in the council.
The Progressives received 16.62% (11 seats), NA 14.2% (10 seats), and the current mayor Vilnis Ķirsis’s New Unity (JV) received 12.9% (9 seats).
“Sovereign Power/Union of Young Latvians” (SV/AJ) received 12.13%, likely earning them eight seats. Two more parties entered the council: Stability! with 6.94% (five seats), and the United List (AS) with 6.29% (four seats).
The remaining parties — including For Latvia’s Development, Harmony, Honor to Serve Riga, and the Union of Greens and Farmers — did not secure seats in the Riga City Council.
A total of 60 deputies are to be elected to the Riga City Council. Voter turnout in Riga for this election reached 52.2%.