RIGA. Aug 17 (Interfax/BNS) - Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) tendered his resignation to President Edgars Rinkevics on Thursday, thus triggering the national government's official resignation.
The government coalition comprised New Unity, United List and National Alliance. While the coalition was just being formed, Karins proposed including the Progressives but partners disagreed. Later on, he said on numerous occasions that United List and National Alliance were hindering the adoption of government decisions, but the two parties said that the coalition was the best option.
The presidential election served as a turning point for the government coalition. The coalition partners failed to agree on a common candidate, while ex-President Egils Levits, nominated by National Alliance, withdrew from the campaign due to insufficient support. So, each party nominated its candidate: Uldis Pilens from United List, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics from New Unity, and Elina Pinto from the Progressives.
Even before the presidential election, speculation began as to how the new president would be elected, as it was clear that the coalition's votes were not enough. In the end, the presidential election was won by Rinkevics. The only coalition member that voted for him was New Unity, and the rest of the votes came from the Progressives and the Union of Greens and Farmers.
After the election, Karins initiated political consultations to convince partners of the need to broaden the coalition and add dynamism to the government work. It was planned to broaden the government with the Union of Greens and Farmers and the Progressives but National Alliance and United List raised strong objections.
Karins made the final offer after more than two months of negotiations, he proposed that certain ministers be replaced and government priorities be agreed upon and said that a new government would have to be formed unless that happened.
United List and National Alliance turned down the proposal and Karins submitted his resignation. He said he would no longer aspire for the prime minister's position and urged New Unity to nominate a new candidate. Welfare Minister Evika Silina was named as such.