RIGA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian government led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs resigned on Tuesday but will remain in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed, according to the Latvian parliament's official website.
Latvia's 15th Saeima, or parliament, convened for its first session on Tuesday, with all 100 newly elected lawmakers taking the oath of office. The parliament then elected its new presidium. The final item on the agenda was a government report on relinquishing its mandate.
Under Latvian law, the outgoing government is deemed to have resigned when a newly-elected parliament holds its first sitting. It continues to perform its duties until the new government wins a vote of confidence in parliament.
Kulbergs said the government's immediate priorities include forming a new cabinet, preparing next year's state budget and safeguarding Latvia's interests in negotiations over the European Union's next multiannual budget.
Latvia held parliamentary elections on Oct. 3. Kulbergs' United List alliance won 41 of the 100 seats, becoming the largest political force in parliament but falling short of the majority needed to govern alone.
Political parties are still holding talks on forming a new government. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics announced on Oct. 6 that he supported Kulbergs in leading the coalition negotiations.
According to media reports, Rinkevics is scheduled to meet Kulbergs on Nov. 4 and is expected to formally nominate him as the candidate for prime minister. ■
