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Latvian labour unions proxy

RIGA, December 17 (Itar-Tass) - Political opposition alliance Harmony Centre representing Latvia’s Russian-speaking community should have a say in the country’s government, which would turn the situation in Latvia for the better, the chairman of the Latvian Free Trade Union Federation, Peteris Krigers, told the local TV channel LNT.

“I am not so critical of the Centre. I think this party has had long experience in the political arena,” he said, adding none of its members could be described as traitors or criminals.

“All of them are decent people whom the citizens rely on. They could play a certain role in the upcoming election and creating the government,” he said.

Krigers believes the Centre should not remain in opposition: “If a voter chooses a certain party, society should respect this choice. Russian-speaking people now make up about 37 percent of Latvia’s two-million population. In Riga, the Russian-speaking community accounts for about 50 percent, while in the second largest town Daugavpils - for about 80 percent.

Krigers added the new government “should finally start ruling the country instead of commenting on ministers’ actions”. The political forces now represented in the Parliament cannot make up an efficient government.

“Over almost a month we have seen endless and fruitless discussions of who is to become the prime minister,” he said. “We have made no progress towards resolving the government’s make-up and tasks. We are losing time.”

The Latvian government is to resign following roof cave-in at Riga shopping mall Maxima on November 21 for which Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has claimed political responsibility. Latvian President Andris Berzins has started consultations to form a new government. Under the Latvian law, it is the president who officially proposes a candidate for the prime minister’s post who, in turn, is to present a model of the new ruling coalition. Then, the Parliament is to approve the new cabinet.

The incumbent Cabinet and Prime Minister will continue to work until the Parliament approves a new government.

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