The opposition Harmony party called for a vote of no confidence in the minister over his handling of confusion surrounding the ''OIK" electricity surcharge and plans to dispense with it after the system was shown to be subject to abuse.
35 MPs backed the Harmony motion, including the party's own MPs and those of the KPV LV political party - which is one of those currently engaged in parallel talks with Ašeraden's New Unity party over forming a new government coalition.
Independent deputy Julija Stepanenko, who is closely aligned with Harmony, plus National Alliance deputy Inguna Ribena also backed the censure motion, but 53 deputies opposed it including those from New Unity, the Union of Greens and Farmers, Development / For!, the New Conservative Party, and other members of the National Alliance.
Speaker of the Saeima Ināra Mūrniece (National Association) abstained.
