MEPs from Latvia react to election results

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Following the provisional results of the 2019 European Parliament elections, prominent MEPs reflected on the outcome May 27.

"New Unity has reclaimed its place at the center of Latvian politics," said Valdis Dombrovskis (New Unity) on Latvian Radio.

He expressed willingness to leave his post at the European Commission and resume his seat as an MEP. There is a possibility, however, that the parties of the coalition will want to return him to his post at the European Commission.

"Yes, I am fine with remaining at the post. Even New Unity has selected me as a candidate for the European Commission, a decision which they had announced before the European Parliament elections. So, if there is an opportunity, I am willing to remain at the post," said Dombrovskis.

The newly elected Members will now battle for seats in the European Parliament committees.

The suspended Rīga Mayor and leader of the Harmony party Nils Ušakovs has expressed an interest in working on the Regional committee.

"Our priority is not merely Latvia. As we know, there will be many representatives from other members of the European Union who will go against the idea of Europe, who will try to weaken and shatter the idea of a Unified Europe.

"It is my deepest political and personal conviction that the European Union has to be strong, which is essential to all of us," said Ušakovs.

Also Tuesday morning Roberts Zīle of the National Alliance will go to Brussels. From May 27, MEPs will begin negotiations on the composition of the political groups.  Zīle will try to secure a position within his fraction – the Conservative and Reformist union.

"My goal is to continue working on the Transport committee," said Zīle.

Ivars Ijabs, the representative of the Development/For party, will be fighting for his influence in the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

"The main priority is the committee itself which is linked to the industrial, scientific, and digital spheres. In other words, the education and culture committee do not have such an influence in the European Parliament."

The representative of the New Conservative party, the political scientist Andis Kudors, who failed to secure a seat in the European Parliament, will continue working for his party.

Roberts Putnis, the leader of the Progressive party, reflected on the future of his post as the leader of the party, which failed to win a seat: "In both elections which I led, we have failed to reach our goals. Because of that, I am responsible for how the party is going to develop in the future, as well as for what has happened until now."

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