Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) has resigned, New Unity's faction leader Edmunds Jurēvics confirmed to Latvian Television on Thursday, May 14. Evika Siliņa also announced this in a media briefing shortly after.
This means an automatic collapse of the Latvian government, which de facto already fell on Wednesday when the coalition party Progressives announced that they wouldn't support this government any longer.
The government will continue to perform its duties until a new Cabinet of Ministers is approved.
The President has received the Prime Minister’s resignation letter, and on Friday, during consultations with representatives of the Saeima factions at Rīga Castle, a decision will be made on forming a new government as soon as possible.
"At this moment, political jealousy and narrow party interests have taken precedence over responsibility. Seeing a strong candidate for the post of defence minister [Colonel Raivis Melnis, whom Siliņa nominated to replace the resigned Progressives' minister Andris Sprūds], political windbags have chosen a crisis – a government crisis. That is why I am announcing my resignation. This is not an easy decision, but it is the right decision in this situation," said Siliņa.
As late as Wednesday evening, Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) stated that Siliņa does not plan to resign. Meanwhile, Andris Šuvajevs, leader of the Progressives parliamentary faction, stated on Thursday morning that if a vote of no confidence in Siliņa takes place in the Saeima today, the government would fall.
The opposition planned to secure Siliņa’s resignation in an unusual manner, as the Saeima Rules of Procedure stipulate that the Saeima may decide on a motion of no confidence at a regular session no sooner than five days after the submission of the draft resolution. The plan was to secure her resignation by supporting one of the motions against Siliņa included in the unfinished session of May 7. In this way, deputies could immediately submit a motion for resignation without waiting five days.
However, the morning after the prime minister’s request, a one-hour recess was announced until 10:00 a.m. When the session resumed, the Speaker of the Saeima offered no explanation as to why the session had been recessed. However, during the recess, Mieriņa told journalists that a statement from New Unity was expected.
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Submission statement: this is relevant to the sub because it’s a major development in the politics of an EU and NATO member state.