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Would-be coalition partners strike provisional deal on Latvia's new gov't

Xinhua, January 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

The center-right Unity party, the leader of Latvia's outgoing government coalition, reached a deal with prime minister-designate Maris Kucinskis of the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS) on Thursday, accepting the offer to take charge of five ministries and the newly-created post of deputy prime minister, local media reported.

Under the provisional deal, ZZS would have six portfolios in the new cabinet. Kucinskis will become the new prime minister, and Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs, Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis and Health Minister Guntis Belevics will carry on in their current capacity.

Outgoing Economics Minister Dana Reizniece-Ozola will take the post of finance minister and outgoing Welfare Minister Uldis Augulis will be appointed transport minister.

The Ministries of Economics, Education and Science, Welfare, Foreign Affairs and Interior will be supervised by Unity. The party will also appoint one of its ministers, most likely the economics minister, Kucinskis' deputy.

The right-wing National Alliance will keep its three existing ministerial portfolios, with Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Kaspars Gerhards, Justice Minister Dzintars Rasnacs and Culture Minister Dace Melbarde expected to stay on in the new government.

The parliament might vote on Latvia's new Cabinet of Ministers on Feb. 11, Kucinskis told reporters Thursday. Enditem