Is the Government Living Its Last Days? The 'Progressives' Paint a Grim Scenario 0 9

On the eve of the Saeima's vote on the bill for Latvia's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, the 'progressives' have begun to effectively lay the groundwork for... the collapse of the Siliņa government. Perhaps this way, the 'progressives' hope to 'scare' the Union of Greens and Farmers into not voting for this bill.

One way or another, the leader of the parliamentary faction 'Progressives', Andris Šuvajevs, stated in an interview with Latvian TV this evening that the government is essentially functioning as a minority government, and the prime minister's power needs to decide with whom it wants to form a minority government - with the 'progressives' or with the 'green farmers'.

The thought is certainly interesting, but apparently, Mr. Šuvajevs, being not very experienced in politics, truly believes that a minority government can function in our country.

In reality, such a government may not last very long - either it will 'collapse' during the budget approval, or the Saeima majority will simply torpedo all important bills for the government, or the opposition, in order to end the government's agony, will raise the issue of a vote of no confidence in Siliņa, and a majority of deputies will vote for it.

It is clear that 'New Unity' does not want to follow the 'progressives' and sink its own government. Therefore, no drastic moves will be made by the 'New Unity' politicians even if the Saeima passes the law on withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention tomorrow.

However, it is also clear that the government will not last long anyway - apparently, after the budget is passed, the current power partners will scatter.