Latvian ex-president Berzins braces for political comeback in Riga elections

Latvian former president Andris Berzins is preparing for a political comeback and plans to run in the upcoming local elections here this spring, local media reported on Friday.

After talks with Latvia's ruling Greens and Farmers Union, the former president has agreed to join the party's ticket for the 2017 local elections in the Latvian capital city, said Augusts Brigmanis, Greens and Farmers leader in the Latvian parliament, on Friday. According to Brigmanis, nobody can question the former president's extensive knowledge and experience, as well as his professionalism in economics and political management.

Berzins, 72, explained his motivation for the comeback, as wanting to share his vast political and administrative experience. "As a former president of Latvia, I am prepared to use all my expertise to develop Riga, not only as the geographical center of the Baltic states, but also the financial, cultural and political center."

"The Greens and Farmers Union is currently the leading government party, and with my contribution I will help it to develop," Berzins was quoted as saying on the Greens and Farmers Union's website.

On Friday, the party, which currently sits in opposition in the Riga City Council, submitted its list of candidates to Latvia's election authorities.

Berzins features on the Greens and Farmers ticket as candidate number two, while the party's chairman Armands Krauze has been nominated to run for Riga mayor.

Berzins was elected Latvian president in 2011.

Before that, he unsuccessfully ran for Riga mayor on the Greens and Farmers ticket in 2005 and was elected to the parliament in 2010.

Latvia will hold its next local elections on June 3, 2017. Endit