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
Continuing his official visit to Sweden, Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius met with the heads of the largest Swedish power energy companies.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus sent congratulations on behalf of himself and the people of Lithuania to Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu, President of the Republic of Kosovo, on the occasion of the First Anniversary of Independence.
more »
Traditionally, the Head of State will spend his vacation in Ixtapa, Mexico. Mr. Adamkus will return to Vilnius before March 11.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus received Speaker of Georgia's Parliament Mr. David Bakradze on a visit to Lithuania.
more »
On 17 February Ambassador Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė started her duties as a new Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.
more »
President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus presented state decorations to Lithuanian and foreign nationals for merits to Lithuania, on the occasion of Lithuanian Independence Day.
more »
Lithuania's President underlined this visit by the President of Tajikistan was a strong impetus for a new quality of cooperation.
more »
This coming Monday, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus will take part in public events dedicated to the Day of the Restoration of the Lithuanian State.
more »
The leader of the country expressed, on behalf of the people of Lithuania, deep sympathy with the families of the victims and their beloved ones.
more »
On 2 February in Vilnius, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas bid farewell to outgoing Italian Ambassador Giulio Prigioni.
more »