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On Tuesday, 3 November, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and the government ministers attended the first sitting of the 15th Saeima, at which they announced that the Cabinet of Ministers was stepping down.
Under the Cabinet Structure Law, the Cabinet of Ministers is deemed to have resigned when the newly elected Saeima convenes. The outgoing government will nevertheless continue to fulfil its duties until the Saeima expresses confidence in a new Cabinet of Ministers, thereby ensuring the continuity of state functions and the continuation of work already under way.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs emphasises that this day also marks a milestone for reviewing the government’s accomplishments.
“This is a significant moment for my government. We have worked together to substantially strengthen Latvia’s security and to move forward on issues that are sometimes uncomfortable but vital for the country. We have also restored the confidence of Latvia’s citizens in the country’s security. We have restored momentum to the government’s work. This is the result of our joint efforts. However, the work does not stop here. At present, our focus is on three key tasks: forming the new government, preparing the new state budget and defending Latvia’s interests in Brussels during negotiations on the next multiannual budget. Until the new government is approved by the Saeima, we will continue to fulfil our duties and ensure that the state continues to function without interruption,” says Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the President for his trust, to the 14th Saeima for the mandate it had given him, to the National Alliance, the Union of Greens and Farmers and New Unity for their cooperation, as well as to all ministers and his team – the United List – for their hard work and sense of responsibility.
The President nominates a candidate for the post of the Prime Minister after the outgoing Cabinet of Ministers has relinquished its mandate upon the convening of the newly elected Saeima. Under the Constitution, the newly elected Saeima must convene on the first Tuesday in November. President Edgars Rinkēvičs is scheduled to meet Andris Kulbergs, the candidate for the post of Prime Minister, on Wednesday, 4 November, at 9.00 a.m. at Riga Castle.
