Today, Evika Silina's government will hold its last meeting. And already on Thursday, Andris Kulbergs' government will be approved.
Hope for Evika Silina to serve as the outgoing Prime Minister until the elections did not materialize. Andris Kulbergs managed to quickly form a ruling coalition and government.
Silina Was Denied an Army
Moreover, Silina failed to convince her party members to torpedo the government being formed by Kulbergs. The leaders of "New Unity" did not dare to go into opposition, fearing that in this case, a government would still be formed — only a minority government, which would mean an increase in the influence of "New Unity"'s "archenemy" — the party "Latvia First".
Silina's troubles did not end there — her party members did not even propose her candidacy to Kulbergs for the position of Minister of Defense, although Silina very much wanted to move into that ministerial chair. It is said that "New Unity" decided not to nominate Silina as its candidate for the Prime Minister position in the upcoming elections. Most likely, the locomotive of "New Unity" in the elections could be the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, who will also hold this position in Kulbergs' government.
Coalition Legos
By the way, about the composition of the new government. Although Kulbergs refused to name the members of his government by name — he promises to do so today after lunch, unofficially, the names of candidates for positions in Kulbergs' government have already been mentioned.
Let’s start with the Prime Minister's party. Traditionally, the position of Prime Minister comes with the position of Minister of Finance — this will be held by a veteran of Latvian politics, former Prime Minister, and now a member of the Saeima, Maris Kučinskis. The position of Minister of Justice is expected to be taken by the Secretary of the Saeima Presidium, lawyer by education, Edvards Smiltena (OS), while the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development may be headed by Saeima member Edgars Tavars.
National Alliance Hit the Jackpot
The National Alliance found itself in the most advantageous position — having the smallest ruling faction in the Saeima, this party nevertheless received four ministerial portfolios. For the first time this century, the Ministry of the Interior will be headed by a representative of the National Alliance, history graduate Janis Dombrava, who currently heads the parliamentary investigative commission on migration.
The National Alliance's candidate for Prime Minister, master in environmental management, Saeima member Ilze Indikson will lead the Ministry of Education. Her party mate Nauris Puntulis will return to the position of Minister of Culture, while another Saeima member from the National Alliance, Janis Vitenbergs, will head the Ministry of Climate and Energy.
The Union of Greens and Farmers will retain all the posts it had in Silina's government. Viktor Valainis and Reinis Uzulnieks will remain in the positions of Ministers of Economy and Welfare respectively, while the portfolio of Minister of Agriculture will likely go to former Minister of Welfare, Saeima member Uldis Augulis.
"New Unity" Lost Portfolios
As for what was recently the most important ruling party, in the new government, "New Unity" was given only 4 portfolios. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to be led by Baiba Braže, the portfolio of the Minister of Health will be retained by Hosam Abu Meri, and Arvils Aseradens may move from the position of Minister of Finance to the position of Minister of Communications.
It is still unclear who from "New Unity" will head the Ministry of Defense — either the non-partisan Colonel Raivis Melnis, who was actively promoted by Evika Silina, or Inese Libina-Egnere, who headed the Ministry of Justice in Silina's government.
Yesterday, Prime Minister candidate Andris Kulbergs once again outlined the priorities of his government: security, budget savings, safety during parliamentary elections, and the fight against corruption and cartels.
Traditionally, the new government of Kulbergs will gather for a ceremonial meeting immediately after receiving the mandate from the Saeima to listen to the President's address.
And what will the now former Prime Minister Evika Silina do? Most likely, she will resume her mandate as a member of the Saeima. The same goes for her party mates — Rihards Kozlovskis and Raimonds Chudars. Former Minister of Communications from the "Progressives" party, Atis Švinka, will also return to the Saeima.
