The board of Latvia's Way party nominated Riga Mayor Andris Berzins as a candidate for the prime minister's post on Sunday evening, April 16, Latvia's Way spokeswoman Dace Gulbe said.
Published:
25 April 2000 y., Tuesday
Berzins was nominated from six potential candidates of the party and he initially had stated he does not want to hold the office and wants to work in the municipality. The prime minister's seat became available with the resignation of Prime Minister Andris Skele on April 12 following the loss of his coalition support over his sacking of Minister of Economy Vladimirs Makarovs.
In contrast to Latvia's Way member Aija Poca, who categorically refused to head a Cabinet in which a post is held by Skele, Berzins confirmed to media he does not have objections to Skele being a minister.
All board members voted in support of nomination of Berzins except himself. Latvia's Way Chairman Andrejs Pantelejevs told reporters that the board's decision would be given to Latvia's president. He expressed a hope that President Vaira Vike-Freiberga would respect this choice in the event the
potential coalition partners agree to support Berzins. He said Berzins had put forward as a condition to run for the prime minister's post, the stable support of his party members, which was affirmed by the board's voting. The board had given Berzins the right to veto any ministerial candidate.
Berzins, who arrived for the meeting of Latvia's Way from the ice-hockey game between the Latvian and Finnish national teams, stressed to thenews media that putting ultimatum-like claims to the coalition partners is not possible. He said he is ready to assume the prime minister's post and feels good about it, but "his heart would stay in Riga." The other possible prime minister candidates of the party were MP and former Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis, economist Ojars Kehris, Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins and Transport Minister Anatolijs Gorbunovs, whose nomination was not even coordinated with him by the party's chairman. Gorbunovs categorically declined to hold the premier's post.
Šaltinis:
BNS
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Tomorrow, May 6, His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain arrive in Lithuania on a two-day state visit.
more »
President Valdas Adamkus offered deep condolences to those who have lost their beloved ones in the tragic incident which happened at Azerbaijan's State Oil Academy, resulting in the loss of young lives.
more »
President Valdas Adamkus received Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
more »
At the international energy conference held in Vilnius on the initiative of Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have signed a declaration of agreement on energy projects of Baltic relevance.
more »
President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus received President of Radio Free Europe Jeffrey Gedmin.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus bade good-bye to the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Slovakia Mr. Ivan Špilda, who resided in Riga.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus received letters of credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Bogdan Benko.
more »
The Lithuanian Government has granted accreditation to Internet journalists and bloggers.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus participated in a Baltic Sea Round Table in Helsinki as part of the programme of his state visit to Finland.
more »
While on a state visit to Finland, President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus made a speech at a luncheon hosted by the Mayor of Helsinki Mr. Jussi Pajunen in the City Hall.
more »