Latvia's Kulbergs says coalition partners must sign up for change
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says he will pick partners who will carry out the changes voters want. His United List won 41 of 100 seats on Saturday. Second-place Latvia First offered to back even a minority government, but Kulbergs' party has ruled out a coalition with it.
Latvia's prime minister has set out how he will choose his next government. Andris Kulbergs said Wednesday that his United List will team up with parties that agree to carry out change "with full commitment," BNN reported.
Kulbergs spoke to reporters at Riga Castle after meeting President Edgars Rinkēvičs. He is the United List's candidate to stay on as prime minister. Voters "clearly voted for change," Kulbergs said, and a party's willingness to deliver it will decide who joins. He admitted the changes will not be comfortable for everyone.
He also wants a leaner government. The number of ministries "should not be an end in itself," he said. He pointed to cabinets of 14, 12 or 11 ministers as examples.
Rinkēvičs said he drew no red lines in his talks with parties. Instead he set three principles. The first is no change in defense and foreign policy, including spending 5% of GDP on security and continuing support for Ukraine. He said nearly every party backed that, with one possible exception he did not name. The second is that the coalition should be effective, not just big. The third, he said, is that the public will mainly hold the prime minister to account.
The United List won 41 seats in the 100-seat Saeima, or parliament, in Saturday's election, according to provisional results. Latvia First came second with 17. Sovereign Power/United New Latvians won 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives 10 each, and New Unity seven. Turnout was 51.79%.
On Wednesday evening, Latvia First leader Ainārs Šlesers said his party would back even a minority government made up only of the United List, Daily Baltic reported. He set conditions: a smaller state administration, a government of professionals and steps to raise the birth rate. "We will also vote for the budget," he said.
The United List is not considering a coalition with Latvia First or the Progressives, Daily Baltic said. Both two-party and three-party coalitions are being discussed. A United List leader, Edgars Tavars, said the goal is to approve the new government before Nov. 18, Latvia's national holiday, bb.lv reported.
What we know: Kulbergs is leading talks and wants a government before Nov. 18.
What we don't: Which parties will join him.
Where outlets agree Daily Baltic and bb.lv both report that Latvia First leader Ainārs Šlesers offered to support a minority government led by the United List.
Where they differ Latvia First says its votes could carry a United List minority government, but Kulbergs' party is not considering a coalition with it.