The votes for the election of a new Saeima speaker that took place in Wednesday, the 20th of September, shed a light on the conflicts within the new coalition, says politologist and public relations specialist Filips Rajevskis.
Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) member Daiga Mieriņa was elected as Saeima’s new speaker. Prime Minister Evika Siliņa’s government – ZZS, New Unity (JV) and Progressive Party (PRO) – agreed on her after ZZS member Gunārs Kūtris failed to receive enough votes to be elected.
Rajevskis said Kūtris’ apology about consulting with “the accused and convicted” about economic affairs did not help either. Nevertheless, ZZS got the post the party wanted. According to the politician, the question is
what did ZZS want more: the Saeima speaker’s or removing Edvards Smiltēns from this post?
“Mieriņa is a newcomer to ZZS Saeima faction. I believe she will be very visible as Saeima speaker. At the moment it is difficult to say what to expect from her. It is clear this post will not make her life easier. Everyone will follow her activity. People will also compare her to Smiltēns and his work style. I don’t know which political party would benefit from this situation, perhaps the opposition,” said Rajevskis.
When asked why a candidate from PRO or JV wasn’t proposed for this post, the politologist explained JV cannot possibly get all the leading posts in the government. Rajevskis stressed that ZZS had already agreed to numerous compromises in the government formation process and the Saeima speaker’s post was what ZZS needed.
“I believe since the time Gundars Daudze was Saeima speaker ZZS has known how to use this post, because the Saeima speaker needs to be under control. This post is important because the existing coalition’s majority of votes is very unstable. The Saeima speaker needs influence and power to organise the parliament’s work in way beneficial to him,” said the politologist.
When asked if ZZS had any other prominent candidates aside from Kūtris and Mieriņa, the politologist said that the party had candidates, but after the “painful” government formation process and Kūtris’ public discussion, any candidate would have to face a very unpleasant process before and after taking office.
“Politicians focused on survival in politics absolutely do not want to be in the spotlight. They would rather back away. Mieriņa was the most neutral candidate. Because in the past she served as the head of Carnikava municipality, she has a level of political experience,” said Rajevskis.
When asked about the government stability, considering the rocky coalition formation process and the Saeima speaker’s election, the politologist stressed that the fact a conflict appeared within the new government a mere four days after approval is unprecedented.
“I believe there is no stability. ZZS will not miss this opportunity. There could be
desperate situations for JV and ZZS will be able win some.
I don’t believe ZZS will forget this uncomfortable situation. The vote for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention will be interesting. It may turn out that the discipline in ZZS is not as solid as it seems – the coalition may fail to secure enough votes,” said the politologist.
The situation with Kūtris does not indicate the ruling coalition’s control over parliamentary processes will be rock-solid and that they will be able to will be able to ensure the fulfilment of all government needs and agreements without disputes and unnecessary discussions.
Also read: ZZS member Daiga Mieriņa elected as the new Saeima speaker