A Month After Latvia's Election, Shape of the New Government Still Unclear

A month after Latvia's 15th Saeima (parliament) election, the make-up of the next government remains undecided. The United List (AS) won the 3 October vote decisively, taking 41 seats in the parliament. It is not known whether AS will invite any of the other elected parties into a coalition or take all ministerial posts itself.

How the process has unfolded

After the results were announced, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met all parties elected to the Saeima. He said AS prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs would discuss both a coalition and the distribution of responsibility in government with the other parties. Rinkēvičs formally nominated Kulbergs for prime minister on 4 November.

No official talks on a coalition or cabinet took place throughout October. At the end of the month Kulbergs invited representatives of the National Alliance, New Unity, the Progressives and Latvia First to talks, but no statements about possible cooperation followed. Next Monday he plans to meet the National Alliance, the Progressives and New Unity. No talks with Latvia First are planned. Kulbergs hopes to form the government by Latvia's national holiday.

Unofficially named candidates

Latvian Television's programme "Panorāma" reported in late October on unofficially mentioned ministerial candidates. Normunds Staņēvičs, former chair of the board of Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, and Kārlis Purgailis, an economist at Citadele bank, could serve as non-party professionals, as health minister and finance minister respectively. Cardiologist Andris Skride (AS) is also being considered for health minister.

Edgars Štelmahers (AS) could become economics minister, Viesturs Vitkovskis is discussed for justice minister, and Līga Meņģelsone (AS) for welfare minister. Raivis Melnis, put forward by New Unity, might remain defence minister, and Edgars Tavars (AS) would stay on as minister for smart administration and regional development. Edgars Putra (AS) is named as a possible agriculture minister, Česlavs Batņa (AS) for education and science, and diplomat Edgars Skuja has been approached about foreign affairs.

The ministries named do not include Culture and Interior, in which the National Alliance has shown interest. The Ministry of Climate and Energy is planned to be abolished.

Saeima presidium

At the first session, Edvards Smiltēns (AS) was elected Saeima speaker, with Raimonds Vējonis (AS) and Ināra Mūrniece (National Alliance) as deputies. Ramona Petraviča (Latvia First) became secretary, and Antoņina Ņenaševa (Progressives) her deputy. The Saeima still has to agree on committee responsibilities and leading posts.