Latvian president designates Krisjanis Karins to form new gov't

Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis on Monday asked Krisjanis Karins, a member of the European Parliament from the center-right New Unity party, to form the Baltic country's next government.

Negotiations among political parties on Latvia's next coalition government have been dragging on since early October, becoming the longest since the restoration of the Baltic country's independence. Karins has been leading the protracted talks since mid-December.

Following a meeting with the president on Monday morning, Karins told reporters that he had briefed the president on the main areas he intends to prioritize as head of the government and the distribution of ministerial portfolios in his cabinet.

Karins plans to form a center-right coalition government comprising New Unity, the New Conservative Party, the liberal alliance For Development/For, the right-wing National Alliance and KPV LV party. During a meeting with the president last Friday, representatives of all five parties confirmed they were ready to join the Karins-led cabinet.

Since the rough composition of the new government is already clear, politicians now have to finish work on a government declaration which is expected to include priorities like prevention of money laundering through Latvian banks and corruption, fighting illicit economic activity and carrying through with education and health reforms, among other tasks.

Karins is the third prime minister designate nominated by President Vejonis following Latvia's Oct. 6 general elections, which produced a fragmented parliament of seven factions.

Janis Bordans of the New Conservative Party and Aldis Gobzems of KPV LV were the first candidates designated as prime ministers but their attempts to strike a deal on Latvia's next government failed.