If The Progressives decides to leave the coalition, a technical government will continue working, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa of New Unity (JV) said in an interview on TV3’s program 900 sekundes when asked about plans for the government’s future work in such a scenario.
Siliņa admitted that she had not offered The Progressives the opportunity to nominate their own candidate for the defence minister position because party representatives did not attend Sunday’s meeting.
“I did not offer them anything because I could not discuss it with them at all. They did not come to the meeting yesterday,” the prime minister said, adding that Culture Minister Agnese Lāce of The Progressives briefly joined the discussion remotely before disconnecting.
“Defence Minister Andris Sprūds still has neither called me nor told me that he is resigning. So communication at the moment is complicated,” the prime minister admitted, while adding that she remains ready to talk and cooperate.
The head of government also acknowledged that she does not know whether Colonel Raivis Melnis, whom she invited to take the post, would have enough votes in the Saeima.
Siliņa explained that she had not spoken with opposition representatives
because, “as a normal head of government,” she first wanted to discuss the situation with coalition partners, where at the moment “only the Union of Greens and Farmers remained.”
“It is up to The Progressives what they decide to do. Coalitions come and go. What is important to me is ensuring competent governance in the defence sector,” the prime minister stressed.
Siliņa also stated that if Melnis is elected, he will have to relinquish his military rank and active defence service status.
The prime minister further revealed that over the weekend she had received information indicating that the situation surrounding the drone incident in Rēzekne could have been coordinated much better, because
the defence sector had information about two drones in flight.
As previously reported, Defence Minister Sprūds announced his resignation on Sunday evening, while at the same time Siliņa formally demanded his dismissal. The prime minister has already approached Colonel Melnis regarding the defence minister post, and he has reportedly agreed. Siliņa believes the ministry should be led by a professional.
Harijs Rokpelnis, head of the Saeima faction of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), told the LETA news agency that national security is not a place for political emotions and that a professional, calm, and responsible approach is currently required.
On Monday, ZZS representatives are scheduled to discuss the security situation with President Edgars Rinkēvičs in order to assess the events and decide on further action.
The prime minister made her decision following the drone incidents in Latgale, citing loss of confidence in the minister and problems within the sector.
Meanwhile, Sprūds announced his resignation while taking political responsibility and attempting to shield the military from being drawn into political disputes.
At the same time, the evaluation of the National Armed Forces of Latvia response to the incidents is continuing, alongside efforts to strengthen Latvia’s air defence capabilities.
Read also: Latvian Defence Minister Sprūds resigns from office
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