Latvia, Legislation

Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins, Health Minister Baiba Rozentale, Justice Minister Mareks Seglins and Regional Development and Local Governments Minister Edgars Zalans had a meeting with Dombrovskis this morning to submit their letters of resignation, as Dombrovskis' press secretary Liga Krapane told LETA.

Therefore, the government of Dombrovskis has now become a minority government.

Dombrovskis asked the foreign minister to withhold his resignation and fulfill his functions until the appointment of a new foreign minister.

Riekstins told LETA that he would respect the premier's request; however, he stressed that he had not reconsidered his decision to leave the post of foreign minister, and had requested that the prime minister propose a new candidate for foreign minister within the foreseeable future.

The candidate for new foreign minister is said to largely depend on the result of negotiations with Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way. In the event that they agree to join the government coalition, they will be offered all four currently vacant ministerial portfolios.

Before the appointment of replacements, the duties of health minister will be fulfilled by Internal Affairs Minister Linda Murniece (New Era), while Environment Minister Raimonds Vejonis (Union of Greens and Farmers) will act as regional development and local governments minister, and Welfare Minister Uldis Augulis (Union of Greens and Farmers) will fulfill the duties of justice minister. As Augulis is currently on holiday, for now these duties will be carried out by Education Minister Tatjana Koke (Union of Greens and Farmers).

As reported, the fifth People's Party minister - Minister of Culture Ints Dalderis - said last week that he would quit the People's Party and stay on as the minister of culture.

With the departure of the People's Party from the coalition, the government of Dombrovskis has now become a minority government.

The government coalition is currently made up of New Era, Union of Greens and Farmers, Civic Union and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK.