Vējonis evasive over chance to run for second term

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President Raimonds Vējonis remains evasive on whether or not he will run for a second term.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) on January 30, Vējonis told the press that this is not something he thinking about at the moment, even though there is widespread discussion of potential candidates currently.

''This is something which I am not thinking about at the moment. When I make a decision, I will then make an announcement,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Kariņš said that discussions on presidential candidates could begin in about three weeks, after the government completes its priority tasks.

''I have proposed that it would be great if the coalition could agree on one sole candidate. We will begin such discussions on about three weeks. We will see if we can find a common position on this matter,'' Karins said.

Formerly a member of the Greens and Farmers Union - now an opposition party - Vējonis has weathered a health scare and has had important initiatives thwarted, but nevertheless has remained a somewhat popular president.

A July 2018 poll by SKDS pollster put support for him at 55% among Latvian residents.  

As previously reported, Latvia is to have its first-ever open presidential election in summer 2019. 

The National Alliance party earlier said it could put forth Egils Levits, a Judge of the European Court of Justice, as its candidate for president. He remains the only candidate officially floated thus far, though speculation about who else might join the race has been common. 

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