Latvia's parliament (Saeima) on Thursday approved a new cabinet line-up, with Andris Kulbergs of the United List alliance becoming prime minister, reported Xinhua.
Before the Saeima vote, a cooperation agreement and a declaration of the Cabinet of Ministers were signed among the coalition parties — the United List alliance, the National Alliance, New Unity, and the Union of Greens and Farmers.
Under the new coalition agreement, all key posts were allocated among the four ruling parties, with Daiga Mierina from the Union of Greens and Farmers remaining as Saeima speaker.
Apart from the post of prime minister, the United List secured three ministers' positions, including the finance and justice ministries. Former prime minister Maris Kucinskis was named finance minister, while ex-speaker Edvards Smiltens took over as justice minister.
New Unity, the largest parliamentary faction, retained the foreign ministry and clinched the defense portfolio. Baiba Braze stayed on as foreign minister, and Raivis Melnis was appointed defense minister – both posts weigh much in the new government.
Political analyst Janis Ikstens told the Latvian news agency LETA that there were few surprising choices of ministers in Kulbergs' government. Asked whether such a government could serve until the Saeima elections in October, Ikstens stressed that the coalition itself is the only potential threat. However, he added that changing anything before the vote would be a massive blow to all parties.
Prime Minister of the previous administration, New Unity's Evika Silina, announced her resignation on May 14 after the Progressives party withdrew its support from the coalition.
On May 16, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics nominated Kulbergs as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a new government.
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Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
