Work on coalition cooperation agreement and new government declaration completed

RIGA - The new political partners from the United List, the National Alliance, the New Unity and the Union of Greens and Farmers on Tuesday finalized the coalition cooperation agreement and the declaration of the potential government of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List).

The politician told the media that it is currently planned that the agreement and the declaration will be signed by the ministers of the new government before the Saeima session, where the vote on the new government will take place.

Kulbergs, who has been entrusted by President Edgars Rinkevics with the formation of the new government, on Tuesday named the composition of his Cabinet.

Kulbergs said that the main task today was to complete the Cabinet, naming ministers and areas of responsibility. He noted that the last official confirmation was awaited, with the president retaining his role in charge of defense and foreign affairs.

Kulbergs stressed that the government team will be joined by a representative nominated by the New Unity, who will assume responsibility for defense - Colonel Raivis Melnis. He stressed that this is a particularly important decision, as security is a central issue in the context of government formation and public confidence needs to be restored in this area.

He also pointed out that the defense sector is attracting a specialist with deep understanding, experience and reputation, as well as the ability to engage immediately on national security issues. Kulbergs cited the candidate's experience of working directly with Ukraine as an important advantage, as well as contacts with high-level specialists, especially in drone technology and defense.

On the personal side, Kulbergs noted that he believes that the legal education and language skills of the candidate for the minister of justice, Edvards Smiltens (United List), would be particularly useful in the Justice Ministry. Kulbergs said that the strength of Edgars Tavars (United List), candidate for the smart administration and regional development minister, was related to the United List party which is very strong regionally in terms of both coverage and the number of municipal leaders, so it would be important to work in this area.

As for Maris Kucinskis (Greens/Farmers), candidate for the finance minister, Kulbergs emphasized his experience as prime minister, as well as his ability to shape the state budget, which is one of the most important tasks of the government. He explained that it was Kucinskis' experience that was intended to strengthen political continuity and competence in order to avoid mistakes. Kulbergs also pointed out that, if more time were available, various alternatives could be envisaged, but that in the current circumstances, with a timeframe of around four months, it was necessary to select candidates who were able to start work immediately.

In reply to a question about the Ministry of Agriculture and the scandals related to it, Kulbergs explained that the cooperation agreement clearly provides for a mechanism to deal with such situations. He stressed that in cases of conflict of interest, breach of the law, corrupt behavior or undermining of public confidence, no compromise will be tolerated in order to preserve the coalition. In such situations, immediate action and immediate consideration of the issues involved is envisaged.

Melnis told reporters that he had been offered the post of the minister of defense, for which he expressed his gratitude to the New Unity faction for trusting him and promoting him to the post.

He stressed that his main priorities remain unchanged: integrating the Ukrainian experience into the National Armed Forces and the defense sector, promoting the development and integration of the military industry, and providing maximum support to the Commander of the Armed Forces in order to strengthen the capacity to respond to both present and future challenges.

Melnis also confirmed his willingness to work as a team.

The potential defence minister also confirmed that he would be on leave from the service until the members of the parliament decide on Kulbergs' government.

Kulbergs said that he had no concerns at the moment that he would not be able to obtain the necessary state secrets clearance. No problems are currently seen with other new ministers.

From the United List, represented by Kulbergs, Kucinskis will be the Minister of Finance, Smiltens has been nominated as Minister of Justice and Tavars is ready to head the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development.

From the New Unity, the new government will retain the posts of Foreign Minister Baiba Braze and Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri, the post of Defense Minister will go to Melnis, while the current Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis has been nominated for the Transport Minister.

In the new government, the United List politicians will head the Ministries of Finance, Justice and Smart Administration and Regional Development, which are currently headed by the New Unity politicians.

The National Alliance will head the Ministries of Education and Science, Culture, Interior and Climate and Energy. The National Alliance is nominating Ilze Indriksone as the Minister of Education and Science, Janis Dombrava as the Interior Minister, Nauris Puntulis as the Ministry of Culture, and Janis Vitenbergs as the Minister of Climate and Energy.

From the Greens/Farmers, Viktors Valainis, Minister of Economy, and Reinis Uzulnieks, Minister of Welfare, will retain their positions in the new government, while Uldis Augulis, former minister of welfare and MP, will take up the post of Minister of Agriculture.

The position of the Saeima speaker Daiga Mierina will also be retained by Greens/Farmers.