Will 'New Unity' Change Leaders in the Elections? What About Evika? 0 17

"I can say clearly and distinctly to close this topic — internal measurements show that the highest support among the core electorate of 'New Unity' is for Prime Minister Evika Silina. We are currently stable in second place and competing with 'Latvia First' (LPV), and the highest rating and personal approval among those voters who support us is indeed for Evika Silina." This is a fragment of an interview with the chairman of the 'Unity' party and head of the parliamentary faction 'New Unity', Edmunds Jurēvics, which he gave to the newspaper 'Diena' a couple of weeks before Silina's resignation. Of course, back then, two weeks ago, everyone in 'New Unity' was confident that Silina would run for re-election as the incumbent prime minister, and it was obvious that "you don't change horses in midstream"; thus, 'New Unity' planned to officially nominate Evika Silina as their candidate for prime minister in the elections and, accordingly, as the leader of their electoral list in Riga by the end of May.

However, as we know, last Thursday, Silina was forced to resign, and... the leadership of 'New Unity' began to wonder if they should change the "locomotive"?

Today, Silina herself hinted that there might be changes at the helm. In an interview with Latvian Radio, she stated that she does not yet know if she will be the candidate from 'New Unity'. "The conversation about this in the party is still ahead," said Silina.

Rumor has it that the party is feverishly searching for an alternative to Silina. It is likely that the leadership of 'New Unity' will order a sociological survey to understand how voters assess various prominent politicians from this political force.

And if not Silina, then who? Among those in the spotlight, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, and possibly the head of the parliamentary faction, Edmunds Jurēvics, should be mentioned. Additionally, 'New Unity' has in reserve the head of the Cēsis municipality, Jānis Rozenbergs. It is rumored that part of the leadership of 'New Unity' may bet on him. Rozenbergs is an experienced long-time municipal leader, quite charismatic, understanding both the economy and, of course, the system of public administration. Changing the leader will allow 'New Unity' to make a sort of reboot in the elections and stop the rapid decline in popularity.