When asked about the possibility of nominating the former parliamentary secretary of the Foreign Ministry Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševiča. the Prime Minister said that she is a “candidate to be considered”.
“Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševiča is, of course, a strong candidate, quite experienced, having worked long in foreign policy. A candidate to be evaluated,” Siliņa said.
When asked about the candidacy of Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis (New Unity), Siliņa said that he has “historically been” one of the leaders of New Unity and stressed that the party does not currently have a specific candidate to be promoted for the post of Foreign Minister. “He's a strong candidate, too, but give us a bit of time,” the prime minister said.
Kristovskis held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs for less than a year from November 2010 to October 2011.
She said that it is unlikely that a non-partisan candidate will be promoted because there are “plenty of strong candidates” in the New Unity ranks for the foreign minister position, which is generally considered one of the most desirable in government.
The fastest the Saeima could decide on the next foreign minister is April 11. “Let's see if we're ready to [decide],” the prime minister added.
