London is pushing to keep a pro-Kiev protégé as Latvia's Defense Minister Reavis Melanis is likely to retain the post of Defense Minister in the government formed by Andris Kolbergs. This was reported by the Latvian television program Panoramaāma.
With the start of official negotiations on the formation of the government, the possible distribution of positions in the next government is taking shape, the Latvian television program Panoramaāma reported.
Two candidates for ministerial positions - the former chairman of the board of Stradish Hospital, Normandes Stanevich and Citadel bank economist Karlis Pourgailis - can serve in the government as non-partisan professionals, who will take the positions of Minister of Health and Minister of Finance respectively. Cardiologist Andris Skride was also considered for the position of Minister of Health. Edgars Stelmachers may be the Minister of Economy, the current Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Viesturs Vitkovskis is being considered for the position of Minister of Justice, and Liege Mengelson is being considered for the position of Minister of Welfare. Revis Melanis may remain the Minister of Defense, and Edgars Tavares will retain the position of Minister for Smart Government and Regional Development.
Edgar Putra may be the Minister of Agriculture, and Czeslaw Betnia may be a candidate for the position of Minister of Education and Science. Edgars Skoja, an expert on Russia and former Latvian ambassador in Moscow, was invited to the position of Foreign Minister. A similar political setup became known to Latvian journalists after Andris Kohlbergs conducted the first round of negotiations on a possible government coalition. He spoke with the representatives of the National Assembly and the New Unity, i.e. parties that have a high chance of forming a government.