Latvian PM designate proposes cabinet of non-partisan technocrats as talks with partners collapse

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, December 8, 2018
Adjust font size:

RIGA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Latvian Prime Minister designate Aldis Gobzems announced on Friday his intention to form a "government of non-partisan professionals" as talks with potential coalition partners collapsed, local media reported.

Earlier on Friday, Gobzems withdrew his proposal to form a five-party cabinet that would have included his KPV LV party, the New Conservative Party (JKP), the right-wing National Alliance, the center-right New Unity and the centrist Greens and Farmers Union, as the parties could not overcome their mutual disagreements.

However, politicians reacted to Gobzems' plan B envisaging a government of non-partisan technocrats with general skepticism. Several political parties said they were walking out of the talks with the current prime minister designate and calling on President Raimonds Vejonis to nominate another candidate.

Krisjanis Karins of the center-right New Unity party, which had been involved in the negotiations on Latvia's next coalition government, said no headway had been made in almost two weeks since Gobzems was mandated to form a government. New Unity was the first party to terminate talks with Gobzems on Friday.

The New Conservative Party soon made a similar statement. One of the party's leaders, Juta Strike, said that the JKP would not back Gobzems' "government of professionals" either.

"It is absolutely impossible to continue the negotiations," Strike told public media.

Parliament Speaker Inara Murniece of the National Alliance also said her party was skeptical about Gobzems' latest proposal and did not deem it possible to support it.

Armands Krauze, leader of the Greens and Farmers Union, which so far had been the only party to support Gobzems' original proposal, said they had yet to discuss his latest initiative.

Gobzems said he would ask parliament to vote on his cabinet of professionals next week.

President Vejonis has set next Monday, Dec. 10, as the deadline by which Gobzems has to form his government. Enditem

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter