Evika Siliņa is Latvia’s new prime minister

Evika Siliņa, a member of the center-right New Unity get together, is the brand new prime minister of Latvia. 

The nation’s parliament voted 53-39 on Friday to approve the brand new authorities led by Siliņa, following the shock resignation of former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš final month.

The brand new authorities, which is able to management 52 of 100 seats within the parliament, might be made up of a three-party coalition between Siliņa’s New Unity (JV) get together, the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS), and the social-democratic Progressives (PRO).

Outgoing prime minister Kariņš will stay in authorities and tackle the function of minister of international affairs.

“I consider in Latvia and the potential of our folks,” Siliņa mentioned on X (previously Twitter) shortly after receiving the vote of confidence. “Thanks to the Saeima for exhibiting belief within the Cupboard of Ministers led by me! Time for concrete works!”

Kariņš’ New Unity get together gained the elections in October 2022 and fashioned a coalition with the conservative Nationwide Alliance and the United Listing, controlling 54 seats within the parliament. The coalition was in energy for lower than a 12 months earlier than collapsing.

In August, Kariņš resigned as prime minister after his authorities fell aside over a deliberate Cupboard reshuffle and makes an attempt to broaden the coalition. 

Shortly after, Siliņa, a member of Kariņš’ get together, was tapped for the function of prime minister. A former lawyer and welfare minister, Siliņa is the second lady to develop into prime minister of Latvia, following Laimdota Straujuma in 2014-2016. 

Kariņš congratulated Siliņa on Friday.

“Latvia should proceed its growth path, changing into stronger, wealthier and extra seen on this planet — I’m positive that beneath the management of [Evika Siliņa] we’ll succeed,” Kariņš mentioned.

Congratulations poured in from round Europe. European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned she seemed ahead to working with Silina, “for Latvia and for Europe.”

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal additionally congratulated Siliņa on her new function, saying he appears to be like ahead to “our continued cooperation to realize a decisive victory over the [Russian] aggressor” and increase partnerships between Ukraine and Latvia.