When putting together the state budget for 2023, so-called deputy quotas should not be included in it, said 14th Saeima speaker Edvards Smiltēns in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds on Friday, the 20th of January.
He stressed that the new government is in sync and works in a cohesive manner. It is expected to accomplish solid results. Smiltēns expects Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens to submit the State Budget portfolio for 2023 on the 9th of February.
Then the budget should be passed within one month’s time.
The Combined List political party’s priorities for this year’s budget is security, domestic security and health, which, according to Smiltēns, are the biggest topics to have been discussed in the government so far. The Saeima speaker also stressed that so-called deputy quotas should not be included in the state budget plan – this is one of his party’s main positions.
Commenting on the upcoming presidential elections, Smiltēns said discussions are necessary about potential candidates. He did not say who his party could nominate. «Everyone is working intensely on the budget, as it is delayed. Once the budget is in the Saeima, this is when we can commence discussions about presidential candidates,» said the politician.
Smiltēns added that Latvia’s President Egils Levits did well by taking the initiative in the formation of the government, as well as holding consultations with parties over various procedures. All of the surnames will be discussed, Smiltēns promised. He did not say if Uldis Pīlēns could be the candidate from Combined List.
Smiltēns also said quotas of political parties should not be the main factor, because in the past representatives of a single party held posts like state president and Saeima speaker. He did not say if he is prepared to sacrifice Saeima speaker’s seat in exchange for the option to elect one of his party’s representative in the post of Latvia’s president.
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