Tavars keeps two-party coalition open but backs broader government

Edgars Tavars of the United List, the winner of Latvia’s 15th Saeima election, said a broader coalition would be important for passing difficult and unpopular decisions. He made the remarks on Latvian Television’s programme “Today’s Question,” LSM reported.

Tavars said no decision had been made on whether the coalition would include two or three parties. He did not rule out a two-party coalition, saying the numbers allowed for one, but said a three-party coalition would be important to secure support for unpopular decisions.

He said the coming years would be difficult for Latvia’s economy and would require spending cuts and other painful decisions.

The United List won 41 seats in the election. Five other political forces also entered parliament, while the Green and Farmers Union, a partner in the previous coalition, failed to pass the 5% threshold. It will be the first time in the alliance’s 24-year history that it is not represented in the Saeima. Turnout was 51.79%, the lowest ever in a parliamentary election in Latvia.