For the emerging government to accomplish truly great things, it is necessary to secure support of at least 60 Saeima deputies, because this would provide a serious majority in committees, as Diena newspaper was told by New Unity board member and parliamentary deputy Ainars Latkovskis.
«The logic is that with a four-party coalition the government would have 64 votes, otherwise we divide lanes and be happy with each of our ministries. I can say this – we are not interested in this,» said Latkovskis, thereby voicing support in favour of inviting the Progressive Party into the coalition. The two other potential coalition partners – National Alliance and Combined List – have yet to voice any support of letting Progressive Party join.
Latkovskis explains that in a situation when the coalition has only 54 votes, the push of legislative drafts supported by the government risks hitting a dead end after submission to Saeima committees that may have a majority of opposition deputies.
«Another argument – Saeima’s National Defence Committee is composed from one member each from all factions in the Saeima. If the coalition has three and the opposition has four, this means the coalition does not have control in this committee – it may as well end up in the hands of the opposition.»
«I don’t understand why the National Alliance and Combined List don’t understand this,» Latkovskis explained in the interview.
He said New Unity is prepared to reach out and invite the Progressive Party to the coalition. «Of course, it will be difficult and will require formulating the government’s declaration, but there are topics in their programme that can be passed with assistance from other partners,» said the New Unity politician.
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There is a lot of uncertainty moving forward with the formation of the new coalition, particularly with the role the Progressive Party might play at the end.
On Monday, 3 October, representatives of parties elected to the 14th Saeima met with President Egils Levits.
The leader of New Unity Krišjānis Kariņš mentioned after the meeting that it would be best if the country had a wide and varied coalition.
Kariņš said he sees no major conflicts and contradictions among New Unity, Combined List, National Alliance and Progressive party that could potentially stop them from reaching an agreement.
The National Alliance considers a three-party coalition with New Unity and Combined List to be the most optimal solution, said the party’s leader Raivis Dzintars. Members of the national alliance want to form this values-compatible coalition because they believe this party and the Progressive Party have serious differences in ideology and values.
Uldis Pīlēns, one of Combined List’s leaders, said the topic regarding Progressive Party’s potential involvement in formation of the coalition is planned to be discussed with partners from New Unity and National Alliance. According to him, the core of the new coalition may consist of the Combined List, New Unity and National Alliance.
Kaspars Briškens, leader of the Progressive Party, says his party is ready to become part of the coalition of the newly-elected 14th Saeima, stressing that it is in Latvia’s interests to ensure a wide coalition with four parties and 64 votes in the current geopolitical situation.
Levits, meanwhile, allows for both options.
At the same time, Levits also mentioned a third option – a different cooperation format in case the Progressive Party is unable to join the core of the coalition for ideological reasons.
Possible opposition parties, meanwhile, are not in a hurry to announce their role in the parliament. When asked if he noticed any signs from the president that would suggest his party could stay in the coalition, Viktors Valainis, who is a member of the Union of Greens and Farmers, said he will trust the path outlined in the Constitution – the president nominates the prime minister candidate, who then invites parties to join the coalition.
Aleksejs Rosļikovs, leader of the party For Stability!, believes right now it would be wrong if anyone suggested forming the coalition without his party or that Kariņš will definitely become the next prime minister.
Ainārs Šlesers, leader of the party Latvia in First Place is also cautious about writing off his party to the opposition.
Also read: Latvia’s14th Saeima gradually taking shape