Kulbergs vows to present government model by national holiday

Atis Kulbergs of the United List says he remains determined to present a model for a new government by Latvia’s national holiday, LSM reported. President Edgars Rinkēvičs asked him to lead government formation in October.

Speaking on LTV’s Rīta Panorāma programme, Kulbergs said all possible options were on the table. He is now looking for potential coalition partners who are prepared to step back from promises they made to voters.

Kulbergs said parties had promised voters benefits that would not be possible, and asked whether they understood the situation and were willing to abandon those commitments.

He has not ruled out forming a minority government and said professionals could also be appointed as ministers.

Formal coalition talks began last week, but have not yet clarified which parties might work together. The United List won 41 seats in the 15th Saeima elections. The other parties entering parliament were Latvia First with 17 seats, Sovereign Power and the New Latvians Association with 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives with 10 each, and New Unity with seven.