RIGA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Latvian Prime Minister-designate Andris Kulbergs on Tuesday unveiled candidates for ministerial posts in his planned four-party coalition government ahead of a parliamentary confidence vote later this week.
The prospective coalition, comprising Kulbergs' United List alliance, the National Alliance, New Unity, and the Union of Greens and Farmers, has completed drafting the new government's policy declaration. Incoming cabinet members are expected to sign the document before parliament convenes on Thursday to vote on the proposed government.
Presenting his cabinet lineup, Kulbergs highlighted the nomination of army colonel Raivis Melnis for the post of defense minister, underscoring national security as a key priority for the incoming administration and the necessity to restore public confidence in this area.
Under the coalition agreement, the four parties will share key leadership positions in the new administration. Kulbergs, representing the United List, is set to become prime minister, while Daiga Mierina of the Union of Greens and Farmers will remain speaker of parliament. Other ministerial portfolios have been allocated among the coalition partners as part of the power-sharing arrangement.
The formation of the new government follows the collapse of the previous three-party coalition led by former Prime Minister Evika Silina of New Unity.
Silina announced her resignation on May 14 after the Progressives party withdrew its support from the coalition, which also included the Union of Greens and Farmers. The split was triggered by Silina's dismissal of Defense Minister Andris Spruds, a member of the Progressives, over drone-related security incidents in eastern Latvia.
On May 16, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics nominated Kulbergs as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a new government. ■