One step forward, two steps back: the formation of the next government is continuing for the second month. The AS representatives went to the President today to present their vision. The AS politicians have confirmed their readiness to continue negotiations on the tasks of the next government and the financial framework that could be confirmed in another memorandum, one of AS's founders, Uldis Pīlēns, said after meeting with the President of Latvia.
In addition, the AS would like to discuss the creation of a post of the deputy minister for specific tasks in the areas of digital affairs, demography, higher education, science, and climate.
Levits was optimistic after the talk with AS representatives: “It should be said that the situation is good. All parties express their readiness to continue negotiations in order to be able to draw up a government declaration setting the tasks for the next government."
The president reiterated he was looking forward to receiving the first draft of the government declaration next week, which would highlight directions and reforms.
Levits was convinced that AS would also like to come to the government's declaration. “This is possible because there is already an agreement on a number of very important issues. There is no agreement on individual issues, but I think it is possible to reach them,” the president said.
The future government partners were surprised by AS's proposal to sign another memorandum, but they are ready to hear the offer.
“I don't think the volume of the documents is the most fundamental tool that the government is working well. We are open to negotiations,” said Raivis Dzintars, leader of the National Alliance.
In the meantime, the New Unity (JV), following the request of the President of Latvia to present a draft government declaration next week, called on the next coalition parties to start their work on the new government declaration.
The JV committed to guiding the preparation of the government declaration in the following areas: finance, foreign policy, education and science, public administration, the rule of law and the fight against corruption, climate (environment) and energy, welfare and child support policies.
The National Alliance will appoint the heads of working groups to develop the content of the government declaration in the following sectors: defense, economy and employment, traffic, cultural space, national identity and information room.
The United list will lead the working groups in the following areas: regional development, environment and digitization, agriculture and forestry, health, internal security, and crisis management.
The leaders of the working groups nominated by the political forces will coordinate the participation of representatives of all the parties forming the government in the working groups, said representatives of the JV.
The coalition-building negotiator Krišjānis Kariņš has asked the heads of the working groups to submit their section of the draft government declaration by Sunday, November 20, evening.
Despite the difficulties experienced in recent weeks, the leader of the coalition-building negotiations, current PM Kariņš is still prepared to take on the formation of the government, adding that AS tends to express different opinions in private and public space.
The parties have pledged to prepare a sketch for the government's declaration by the weekend. Workshops on public budget funding for individual sectors will also be organized.
