Šlesers rules out coalition with three parties

Latvija pirmajā vietā leader and prime ministerial candidate Ainārs Šlesers said the party would not form a post-election coalition with New Unity, the Progressives or Sovereign Power, LSM reported.

Šlesers made the statement in the podcast “Politicians, what was that supposed to be?!” He said the party had already publicly defined its “red lines”, while decisions about cooperation with other parties would depend on the election results and the possibility of forming a majority coalition.

Šlesers also reiterated that Latvija pirmajā vietā aims to replace the current government rather than remain in opposition. He said voters had given the party a mandate specifically to achieve a change of power.

The politician separately ruled out cooperation with the political force led by Julija Stepaņenko, saying their paths diverged after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because of disagreements over condemning the war.

Latvia’s 15th parliamentary election will take place on October 3. Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters will be able to cast their ballots at any polling station.