Latvia, Legislation

The Green Party is one of two parties that make up the Union of Greens and Farmers, which, at a joint meeting of the Greens/Farmers' board and Saeima group on May 11, will nominate the union's joint candidate for the high office.

Augusts Brigmanis, head of the Greens/Farmers' Saeima group, told LETA earlier yesterday that the choice would be between Vejonis and Liepaja Mayor Uldis Sesks.

The Green Party's representatives in the parliament have told LETA that they considered Vejonis a respectable candidate because of his experience in the government and international arena.

Health Minister Guntis Belevics (Greens/Farmers) emphasized that Vejonis was a highly experienced politician and had served as a minister at several different ministries. Other MPs from the Greens/Farmers said the same – Artis Rasmanis, Janis Trupovnieks, Ingmars Lidaka and Karlis Serzants.

As for Vejonis' experience internationally, Belevics, Trupovnieks and Serzants stressed his work at the helm of the Baltic Assembly and several international parliamentary organizations. Rasmanis, in turn, pointed to Vejonis' close work with NATO officials.

Lidaka and Belevics also indicated, the fact that Vejonis was elected to Saeima proved that the nation trusted him. His experience of serving as a co-chairman of the Green Party was also remarkable, they agreed.

Vejonis himself said in an interview with Latvian State Television yesterday that he was ready to run for president.

The other ruling coalition partners have voiced no objections against Vejonis' candidacy this far.