Rightist, left-wing parties name their candidates for Latvian presidency

Latvia's ruling right-wing National Alliance and opposition leftist Harmony on Wednesday named their candidates for the Latvian presidency.

In this year's presidential election they are expected to run against Defence Minister Raimonds Vejonis, the presidential candidate proposed by the ruling centrist Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) and endorsed by the ruling center-right Unity.

The National Alliance said it would nominate Egils Levits, a judge at the European Court of Justice, for Latvian president, and the Harmony named MP Sergejs Dolgopolovs for the top post.

The National Alliance's co-chairman Raivis Dzintars told journalists that as a politically unaffiliated candidate Levits would be "best suited to perform the presidential duties."

Arguing in favor of Dolgopolovs' candidacy, Riga Mayor and Harmony leader Nils Usakovs cited his "political experience, good reputation, as well as experience in parliamentary and executive work."

The official nomination of presidential candidates begins on May 19. The parliament is due to elect Latvia's next president as incumbent President Andris Berzins' four-year term in office ends this summer. Endit