Saeima on Friday approved a new government led by Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity).
53 MPs voted to support the new government.
Three ministers in the new government are from the previous government of Krisjanis Karins (New Unity): Finance Minister Arvils Aseradens (New Unity), Justice Minister Inese Libina-Egnere (New Unity) and Education and Science Minister Anda Caksa (New Unity).
The previous prime minister and acting foreign minister Karins was confirmed as foreign minister. MP Rihards Kozlovskis (New Uity), who served as interior minister several years ago, was confirmed as interior minister in Silina’s government.
MP and former chairwoman of Kuldiga Region Council, Inga Berzina (New Unity) will be environmental protection and regional development minister. Physician and Saeima member Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) is the new health minister.
The Union of Greens and Farmers will be represented by the following members of the party in Silina’s government: Viktors Valainis, chairman of the Greens/Farmers’ Saeima group, as economics minister, MP Armands Krauze as agriculture minister, MP and former welfare minister Uldis Augulis as welfare minister, and MP Kaspars Melnis as climate and energy minister.
From the Progressives, Agnese Logina (Progressives), director of the Riga Film Museum and member of Riga City Council, has been confirmed as culture minister, Saeima European Affairs Committee Chairman Andris Spruds (Progressives) as defense minister, and head of the Progressives’ Saeima group Kaspars Briskens as transport minister.
The new coalition is supported by 52 Saeima members plus nonpartisan MP Olegs Burovs.
Of the 16 positions in the government and Saeima that are to be distributed among the new coalition partners, eight go to New Unity, five to the Greens/Farmers, and three to the Progressives.
This also means that the post of Saeima chairperson will go to the Greens/Farmers, who are planning to nominate former Constitutional Court Chairman Gunars Kutris (Greens/Farmers) for the position in the near future.
Source: BNS.
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