Andris Kulbergs postpones Latvian coalition talks until next week

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the Apvienotais saraksts (AS) party has announced that formal coalition negotiations for the new government will begin next week. This delay follows a two-week period after the Saeima elections where no official schedule for meetings with newly elected parliamentary factions had been established.

Kulbergs cited urgent personal matters requiring him to travel outside of Latvia as the reason for the shift in timing. He intends to begin discussions with potential partners, including the National Alliance (NA) and New Unity (JV), around October 28, just before the first session of the 15th Saeima.

The proposed discussions will focus on cooperation principles, state development plans, fiscal discipline, and reducing bureaucracy rather than immediate seat distribution. Kulbergs noted that all government models, including a minority government, remain on the table. The AS party secured 41 seats in the recent elections, followed by Latvia First (17), Sovereign Power/Union of Young Latvians (15), National Alliance (10), Progressives (10), and New Unity (7).