The acting prime minister of Latvia, Andris Kulbergs, of the conservative formation United List, has been designated this Wednesday to try to form a new Executive and remain at the head of the Government after his wide victory in elections held last month.
The assignment was passed on to him by the president of the country, Edgars Rinkevics, to whom Kulbergs has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to "form and lead the next Government" in the Baltic state. "I am fully aware that this nomination is an enormous responsibility to the State of Latvia and its people," he said in a message published on social media.
In that same communication, the leader stressed that Latvia "doesn't need another Government that promises changes" but rather "finally carries them out." Thus, he emphasized that Latvian citizens are demanding "a clear vision and concrete actions in the economy, security, and the wellbeing of people" and "no more usual political commitments."
The leader of the United List has reiterated that the next cabinet should not "look for excuses not to do something," but rather "take responsibility and look for solutions."
"The new Government will have to demonstrate that the administration of the State works for the citizens of Latvia, not for its own benefit," he added, before emphasizing that his goal "will be to ensure that words become deeds, promises become results, and that the State's policy is explained to all of society."
It was taken for granted that Kulbergs would receive the mandate after a first round of consultations held in October, although the official process has materialized once the new Latvian Parliament, the Saeima, was constituted.
The politician from the United List took the post following the resignation in May of Evika Silina, triggered by the drone crisis on the country's border. The results of the legislative elections of October 3 allow him to revalidate the current governing alliance, this time with a far greater weight for United List, which has moved from 15 to 41 seats.
This advance represents the best result achieved by a party in Latvia since its independence from the Soviet Union. By contrast, New Unity, the center-right party of the former prime minister, has suffered a sharp setback, with a loss of nearly 13% of the votes and the loss of 19 deputies in the Saeima, leaving it with only seven seats.
As a second force, the nationalist populist party Latvia First (LVP) has emerged, with 13.09% support, while the right-wing coalition Sovereign Power/Union of Young Latvians (SV/AJ) signs a notable result with 11.73%. With this distribution of forces, Kulbergs will only have to reach an agreement with an additional formation to ensure a majority in the Chamber.