Premier's decree demanding resignation of Vitenbergs will definitely be signed, there is no question about it - Karins

• Published date: 18 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

The premier's decree demanding resignation of Economics Minister Janis Vitenbergs (National Alliance) will definitely be signed, there is no question about it, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (New Unity) told reporters today after a meeting with President Egils Levits.

It would not have come to this had the National Alliance not threatened to leave the government, demanding that Interior Minister Marija Golubeva (Development/For) be fired, said Karins.

He also said he was confident that the National Alliance would be able to nominate a new and competent candidate for the post of the economics minister, which would also be approved by Saeima.

Asked how soon Development/For and National Alliance could nominate candidates for the posts of the interior and economics ministers, Karins said that he had repeatedly called on the two parties not to delay the process of nominating their candidates. In Karins' opinion, it would be best if Saeima could approve two new ministers tomorrow.

"Even if another week passes, we'll be just fine, because all positions will remain filled. At present, Defense Minister Artis Parbriks (Development/For) is the acting interior minister," said Karins. If necessary, an acting economics minister will also be appointed, however, that would not be a sustainable approach, he added.

The president said that the government was stable. He expects the government to work until the next Saeima elections.

"The situation at the occupiers' monument on May 9 and 10 was unacceptable and it had certain consequences, but the government continues...