Šlesers offers LPV support in Latvia’s coalition talks

Latvija pirmajā vietā (LPV), which won 17 seats and 13.09% of the vote in Latvia’s 15th Saeima election, is ready to join government talks, party leader Ainārs Šlesers told Latvian Radio, according to public broadcaster LSM.

Šlesers said LPV was prepared to remain in opposition but could also be a constructive coalition partner alongside the election-winning Apvienotais saraksts and the National Alliance. He said LPV was not seeking government posts but was offering its support to avoid simply continuing the current government with minor changes.

Šlesers said LPV had doubled its voter support in Latgale compared with the 14th Saeima election. He proposed that Apvienotais saraksts and LPV, which together hold 59 seats, agree on what he called a strong coalition for action.

Apvienotais saraksts leader Edvards Smiltēns said the party would begin coalition talks with its current government partners, the National Alliance, which won 10 seats, and Jaunā Vienotība, which won seven.

Šlesers also said he and other LPV members of Riga City Council would seek the resignation of Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs of the Progresīvie party. He cited reports that former Progresīvie member Mārtiņš Enģelis had been in contact with a minor, while saying Enģelis had explained his departure from the council by referring to burnout. Šlesers accused the party of concealing Enģelis’s conduct and said it should be held responsible.