Political scientist says Kulbergs can form government his own way

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs is taking an unconventional but legitimate approach to forming Latvia’s next government, political scientist Lelde Metla-Rozentale told LTV’s Morning Panorama, LSM reported.

Traditionally, work on forming a new government has begun after parliamentary elections while the outgoing government remains in office. Kulbergs has chosen a different model, Metla-Rozentale said, adding that informal political traditions do not make other approaches improper. She said every prime minister should be able to develop a model of their own.

Some people may welcome Kulbergs’ willingness to try a different approach, even if he makes mistakes or his team is not perfect, she said. He has set out his own priorities and plan, then left it to the other parties elected to parliament to decide whether to support him in individual votes or abstain.

Metla-Rozentale said a government could be formed by the national holiday if Kulbergs does not build a coalition and instead appoints ministers from his party and non-partisan ministers.

President Edgars Rinkevics has tasked Kulbergs with leading the government formation process. His party, the United List, won 41 seats in the 15th Saeima election. Together with the National Alliance’s 10 seats, it would have a narrow majority; adding the seven seats held by New Unity would provide broader support.

Official talks began this week, but it is not yet clear what the new coalition might look like or which parties could work together. The newly elected parliament is due to hold its first session on November 3.

The United List won the election, followed by Latvia First with 17 seats, Sovereign Power/Association of New Latvians with 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives with 10 each, and New Unity with seven.