Latvia

Shaky start for proposed new Latvian government

Latvia Riga MapRiga- The next Latvian government started to take shape Wednesday when Prime Minister-designate Valdis Dombrovskis listed most members of his proposed cabinet.

At a morning news conference in the Latvian capital, Riga, Dombrovskis was flanked by members of five parties including his own New Era party.

Three members of the outgoing coalition were included, from the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS), People's Party
(TP) and For Fatherland and Freedom (TB/LNNK), plus the opposition Civic Union (PS).

Latvia's "two" prime ministers differ on state of the nation

Prime minister Ivars GodmanisRiga  - A difference of opinion became evident Monday between Latvia's outgoing and incoming prime ministers when acting prime minister Ivars Godmanis, who resigned on February 20, denied the Baltic state was on the verge of bankruptcy, as claimed by prime minister-designate Valdis Dombrovskis.

Speaking at a news conference held jointly with acting finance minister Atis Slakteris, Godmanis said Dombrovskis' statement was "just rhetoric" with purely political motivations behind it.

Valdis Dombrovskis named as new Latvian prime minister designate

Valdis Dombrovskis named as new Latvian prime minister designateRiga  - Latvian President Valdis Zatlers named Valdis Dombrovskis as the troubled Baltic state's likely new prime minister Thursday.

Speaking at Riga castle, Zatlers chose the 38-year-old from the New Era party over regional affairs minister Edgars Zalans of the People's Party, the other candidate remaining in the race after days of political wrangling by Latvia's patchwork of parties.

Latvia to receive first billion in financial help from the EU

Latvia to receive first billion in financial help from the EU

Two candidates remain in race to be new Latvian prime minister

Two candidates remain in race to be new Latvian prime ministerRiga - The field of candidates vying to be the next prime minister of Latvia narrowed to two on Wednesday, with President Valdis Zatlers hosting talks with front-runners Edgars Zalans of the ruling People's Party (TP) and Valdis Dombrovskis of the opposition New Era party (JL).

The search for a premier has included nearly every high-profile Latvian political figure, including EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, who confirmed in an interview with the Dienas Bizness newspaper on Wednesday that he had been approached as a potential candidate.

President bemoans Latvia's fall as parties fight for power

Ivars GodmanisRiga - Former government coalition partners and opposition parties were jockeying for position in Latvia Monday following the resignation of incumbent prime minister Ivars Godmanis on February 20.

While Godmanis continued in a caretaker capacity, President Valdis Zatlers mulled the possible replacements nominated by each political party represented in Latvia's
100-seat parliament, the Saeima.

According to the Latvian constitution, which Zatlers himself has said requires overhauling to make it easier for the electorate to dissolve parliament, the collapse of one government does not lead to fresh elections.

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