All posts tagged: Evika Siliņa

Latvian centrist moves to form coalition government – POLITICO

Latvian centrist moves to form coalition government – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Rinkevics on Monday green-lit the coalition. Kulbergs is expected to unveil his cabinet appointments on Tuesday, Latvian outlet Diena reported. Under the terms of the coalition deal, caretake prime minister Siliņa, who belongs to the New Unity party, aims to become defense minister. The Latvian parliament could vote on the new government later this week. Security and defense will be among the main priorities of the incoming coalition. Latvia, which shares a 283-kilometer border with Russia, is one of the most outspoken advocates for Ukraine and EU defense policy. The next government will also prioritize negotiations on the EU’s next seven-year budget. In particular, Tallinn is calling for robust funding for security, agriculture and regional development. Source link

Latvian prime minister quits after backlash over stray Ukrainian drone strikes – POLITICO

Latvian prime minister quits after backlash over stray Ukrainian drone strikes – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Siliņa then appointed Latvian army Col. Raivis Melnis as a replacement, but the Progressives’ withdrawal left Siliņa’s New Unity alliance without a parliamentary majority. Latvia, like its Baltic neighbors Estonia and Lithuania, has been on high alert since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, warning that spillovers from the war could test NATO’s eastern flank. “At this moment, political jealousy and narrow party interests have taken precedence over responsibility,” Silina said Thursday, adding that “political windbags chose not a solution, but a crisis.” Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs previously said he would meet with all parliamentary parties on Friday, “given the political situation of the country.” Source link