Union of Greens and Farmers will absolutely not support Levits as presidential candidate

It is categorically excluded for the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) to support Egils Levits as a candidate for the upcoming presidential elections [in Latvia], said chairman of the board of ZZS, Saeima secretary and deputy Armands Krauze.

Krauze said support from ZZS in favour of Levits’ re-election is “categorically […], absolutely unambiguously out of the question”.

Krauze had previously told the media of Levits’ low rating in the eyes of Latvia’s residents. He also said Levits is not neutral in his work, because he separates parties elected by voters into “the good and the bad”.

This is unbecoming of a president, the opposition politician said.

After the last Saeima elections, Levits said that four parties of the democratic spectrum had made it to the Saeima. He did not include ZZS among them, which caused the party to respond with sharp criticisms of the president.

Krauze also noticed “attempts to rewrite history” with Levits no longer referring to Kārlis Ulmanis as Latvia’s former president, rather an acting president.

The politician also believes Levits has “no chance” of securing the necessary 51 votes in the Saeima. Krauze also reminded that he has “heard” about certain New Unity and National Alliance members not really supporting Levits. At the same time, they may be “forced to vote” in favour of Levits to avoid breaching their respective factions’ discipline, Krauze said.

ZZS also added that Levits has yet to announce whether or not he agrees with running in presidential elections again.

ZZS might support from other candidate. At the same time, the party wants to see all candidates before making any decisions, said Krauze.
As for any “compromise” candidates, Krauze said coalition parties are the ones who should be looking for such candidates, considering they have yet to agree on any candidate.
Also read: National Alliance picks Egils Levits for repeated state president’s term