The Prime Minister is very upset with the "Greens and Farmers," but the head of government has no particular opportunities to "rein in" the "Greens and Farmers."
As previously reported, Prime Minister Evika Silina ("New Unity") promised that "the Union of Greens and Farmers will answer for letting down their partners." Specifically, the "Greens and Farmers," in coalition with the opposition, passed a law yesterday on Latvia's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.
Silina's anger is understandable, but how exactly can the Prime Minister punish her power partners? More precisely - punish them without collapsing her own government.
Objectively speaking, there are almost no options. Any "revenge" from Silina is fraught with a governmental crisis.
For example, Silina might try... to dismiss Minister of Welfare Reinis Uzulnieks (ZKS) and see how the "Greens and Farmers" react. They might express their outrage, but... they won't slam the door.
She could recall all the ministers from ZKS and suggest that the "Greens and Farmers" nominate new ministers. What if the "Greens and Farmers" accept that?
She could punish the "Greens and Farmers" by... completely removing them from the government and attempting to "replace" them with one of the right-wing opposition forces. But this option is unlikely, considering that the entire opposition voted for the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.
In fact, in the current situation, it would be wiser for "New Unity" and Silina to think not about how to punish the "Greens and Farmers," but about how to avoid being in opposition alongside the "Progressives" just 11 months before the elections. A new government, with the support of the same independent deputies, could very well be formed without this duo.
However, the atmosphere in the coalition is so spoiled that it seems even if Silina "forgives" ZKS, it still won't change anything and the government will collapse - most likely after the budget is adopted.
