Current President and future President speak to media together

Latvia's incumbent President Egils Levits and President-elect Edgars Rinkēvičs held a joint press conference June 2 after talks at Rīga Castle.

The pair exchanged numerous compliments with Rinkēvičs praising Levits' four-year term, picking out his groundbreaking visit to Kyiv alongside the Baltic and Polish Presidents and his consistent advocacy of the need for Russia to face an international tribunal for its actions in Ukraine. He also said he hoped Levits would continue to be engaged on such matters after the end of his term.

For his part, Levits described Rinkēvičs as a "Latvian statesman and patriot" and said "It will be with pleasure that I hand on the baton to Mr. Rinkēvičs. Latvia will be in safe hands for the next four years."

As regards the current political situation and potential changes in the ruling coalition, the pair stressed that until July 8 and the end of his term of office Levits was the person who needed to be kept informed by political parties.

"It is possible [there will be] a new government model, it's possible to continue with the current one, but that is now in the hands of the [party] factions," said Levits, while signalling his readiness to get involved as and when required.

The pair also discussed preparations for the NATO Vilnius Summit, due to take place July 11-12, which will provide an important early test for newly-installed President Rinkēvičs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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