The newly elected Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV) expects the opposition’s criticism of the government’s work, but at the same time asks to allow the new Cabinet of Ministers to work as well, Siliņa said at the Saeima session on Friday before the vote on the new government.
The newly elected Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (JV) expects the opposition’s criticism of the government’s work, but at the same time asks to allow the new Cabinet of Ministers to work as well, Siliņa said at the Saeima session on Friday before the vote on the new government.
In her speech from the rostrum, the new Prime Minister reminded that today is the International Day of Democracy and called on the MPs to appreciate the fact that they can criticize each other, make jokes or even express themselves cynically. At the same time, she emphasized that she believes in Latvian people and “beautiful, strong, independent Latvia”, so she calls on the deputies to allow the new government to work in this direction.
“Criticize – I will listen, but also give me the opportunity to work,” said Silina.
In the debate before the vote, the leader of the National Union (NA), Raivis Dzintars, who remained in the opposition, expressed his assessment that the foundations of the coalition formed since May are crooked and weak and that a coalition without principles has been formed.
He believes that the unprincipled coalition was looking for people similar to itself in order to strengthen itself – “they needed someone else who would fall under the temptation of positions and status”, said Dzintars.
According to the politician, NA prevented Latvia from being flooded with cheap labor from third countries, prevented the strengthening of the influence of the Russian language and forced to increase support for families with children. “We may or may not agree, but we have values that we will not change for short-term gain,” the NA leader said.
Dzintars is convinced that the Saeima’s decision to approve the government is bad for Latvia’s future.
Edgars Tavars, chairman of the Saeima faction of the “United List” (AS) party association, said in the debate that, by remaining outside the ruling coalition, AS together with NA will show “what the work of the opposition means”.
AS is said to have very carefully evaluated from which positions it is possible to better and more effectively achieve what the party alliance has promised to the voters. According to Tavar, the negotiations, which were about the preservation or expansion of the previous coalition, were “complete and absolute beanstalk”. In his view, the “New Unity” (JV) creates weak national security and a government that weakens several ministries.
Tavars explained that AS cannot participate in such a government, because AS was created “to prevent hidden and open spoilers of Latvia’s security”. “We refuse to participate in this coalition, because Latvia’s interests and values stand above everything else,” Tavars said.
“For stability!” The chairman of the Saeima faction, Aleksej Roslikov, criticized that AS and NA will also retain some positions in the commissions, therefore they have no reason to blame the new coalition.
“Only two parties have the right to speak openly here, “Stability!” among them, because we are not really involved in anything that is happening now. Because we have come to work for the voters, and that is important,” stressed Roslikov.
The chairman of the Saeima faction of the “Latvija first” (LPV) party, Ainārs Šlesers, emphasized that the government changed based on a purely pragmatic calculation, taking into account also the deal for the confirmation of President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Shlesser also informed about the expression of no confidence required by LPV to Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša (JV), taking into account the educational materials that caused a stir.
It has already been reported that the majority of the Saeima today approved the new government headed by Prime Minister Evikas Silina (JV).
53 MPs voted for the new government.
In the new government, those already working in the previous Cabinet of Ministers have retained their positions – Minister of Finance Arvils Asheradens (JV), Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere (JV) and Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša (JV).
Krišjānis Kariņš (JV), the former acting minister and head of the previous government, has been officially confirmed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Saeima deputy Rihards Kozlovskis (JV) has returned to the position of Minister of the Interior after a break of several years.
Following the decision of the Saeima, the former chairman of the Kuldīga County Council, member of the Saeima Inga Bērziņa (JV) has become the minister of environmental protection and regional development. On the other hand, the position of Minister of Health has been entrusted to a doctor, member of the Saeima, Hossam Abu Meri (JV).
Viktors Valainis, the chairman of the Saeima faction of this political power, has been confirmed from the ZZS as the minister of economy, as the minister of agriculture – the member of the Saeima Armands Krauze (ZZS), as the minister of welfare – the former minister of welfare, member of the Saeima Uldis Augulis (ZZS), and as the minister of climate and energy – parliamentarian Kaspars Melnis (ZZS).
From the “Progressives”, the director of the Riga Cinema Museum of the Latvian Academy of Culture, Riga City Council member Agnese Logina (P) has been confirmed as the minister of culture, Andris Sprūds (P), the chairman of the European Affairs Commission of the Saeima, will be the defense minister, and Kaspars, the head of the “Progressive” Saeima faction, will be the minister of traffic. Brisken.
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