The Latvian Parliament has elected in its first session Edvardas Smiltenas as the new president of the Saeima after 82 votes in favor and eleven against, one month after the elections that gave the victory to the conservative liberal New Unity party, led by Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins.
With this vote, the Parliament, popularly known as Saeima, has inaugurated its activity this Tuesday, according to the official website of the legislative body, despite the fact that there is still no coalition agreement to form a government after the elections held last October 1.
«They are starting their work in times of crisis,» Latvian President Egils Levits said at the beginning of the session, adding that there is «more than one crisis fire to put out,» referring to high energy prices, inflation and the war in Ukraine, according to DPA.
Karins, whose formation claimed victory after winning nearly 19 percent of the vote, earlier signaled he was ready to lead the NATO-member country, which shares a border with Russia.
Taking into account the results, the next Latvian government could be formed around New Unity and United List, which won 11 percent of the support. Both, together with the National Alliance, with 9.31 percent of the votes, could win 54 seats out of a total of 100. So far, the government has had 51 seats.
