Kulbergs opens government talks with two priority partners

Latvia’s prime minister-designate Andris Kulbergs has begun formal talks on forming a government, meeting separately with the National Alliance and New Unity, LSM reported. No coalition agreement has been reached, and the talks have not yet clarified which parties could work together in the next government.

Kulbergs, of the United List, presented a plan for change and a new model for the government’s work, and asked potential partners to put forward their own proposals. He said they would need to be prepared to make unpopular and politically difficult decisions.

The initial meetings were held in a small group at the United List’s request to speed up the process. Kulbergs represented the alliance, while his office head, Mareks Gruškevics, acted as secretary. The National Alliance was represented by Ilze Indriksone and Jānis Dombrava. New Unity sent Foreign Minister Baiba Braže and Saeima deputy Ainars Latkovskis.

The first meeting, with the National Alliance, lasted more than an hour. Both sides said they had found common ground on many issues, but discussed mainly working principles and still need to consider each other’s conditions.

Kulbergs highlighted the state’s finances, warning that continuing current policies and allowing debt to grow could pose serious risks by 2030. He said the next four years would require strict fiscal discipline and that decisions should not be made without a clear source of funding.

For next year, Kulbergs set a goal of cutting state spending by 500 million euros while finding ways to generate another 500 million. He said the government must fund its obligations and invest in security while also supporting economic growth.