Negotiations to form a new governing coalition began in Latvia on Wednesday, two and a half weeks after parliamentary elections.
The victorious electoral alliance, the United List led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, held initial talks in Riga with two of its previous coalition partners: the right-wing conservative National Alliance and the liberal-conservative New Unity party.
Further talks with other parliamentary parties are planned for the coming days.
Kulbergs said the new government’s priorities would be to restore public finances, promote economic growth, enhance security and reform public administration.
Potential coalition partners would therefore have to be prepared to take unpopular and politically unpalatable decisions, he said, following the initial meetings.
In the parliamentary election on October 3, the party led by Kulbergs – who has served as head of government since May – received by far the most votes.
The United List won 41 out of 100 seats, achieving the best election result for any party in Latvia since the country regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
In total, six political parties secured seats in the parliament of this EU and NATO member state in Riga.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs, who grants the mandate to form a government, sai he hoped that a new coalition could be formed by the national holiday on November 18.
Kulbergs needs at least one partner to form a majority government.