Latvian parliament approves new govt 2.5 months after elections

RIGA. Dec 14 (Interfax/BNS) - The Saeima (parliament) of Latvia endorsed the government chaired by Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins of the New Unity party by a majority of votes at a session on Wednesday, the BNS news agency said.

A total of 54 deputies voted for Karins's government, while 37 voted against it.

The elections to the Saeima took place on October 1, and the first session of the new parliament was held on November 1. The political forces forming the coalition needed two and a half months following the elections to form the government, the agency said.

The coalition will have a narrow majority in the 14th convocation of the Saeima, 54 votes out of 100. The government comprises of the New Unity party, which has 26 seats in the parliament, the United List with 15 seats, and the National Alliance with 13 seats.

The opposition comprises the Union of Greens and Farmers, For Stability, the Progressives, and Latvia First.

The declaration of the government emphasizes that the goal of the government chaired by Karins is economic transformations. In order to achieve this goal, the tasks on five closely interlinked tracks need to be solved, and they are security, education, energy, increasing the competitiveness and quality of life, according to the government's plan.

Four members of the new government retained their positions from the previous one. They are Prime Minister Karins, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, Economy Minister Ilze Indriksone, and Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis.