Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced his resignation on Monday, citing strained relations within his multi-party coalition government. The leader of the center-right New Unity party revealed his decision during a press conference, where he conveyed his intention to submit both his own resignation and that of his cabinet to the president on Thursday.

Latvian Prime Minister Submits Resignation

Karins, whose party secured 26 out of 100 parliamentary seats in the October 2022 national election, lamented a breakdown in cooperation among his coalition partners. The coalition, which included the conservative National Alliance and the United List of smaller parties, formed a narrow majority to govern the Baltic nation of 1.9 million within the European Union. The Prime Minister pointed to challenges obstructing efforts for economic growth and prosperity as the driving force behind his decision. He took to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice his frustration and explain the circumstances that led to his resignation.

Why Did He Resign?

One of the significant issues that strained relations within the coalition was the inability to present a unified candidate during the May presidential election. This friction further escalated when Karins sought to expand his government by inviting additional parties, including the left-leaning Progressives party and the Greens, and the Farmers Union. The latter coalition had Aivars Lembergs, the mayor of Ventspils, at its forefront. Lembergs had previously been placed on a U.S. sanctions list in 2019 due to allegations of corruption.

Karins’s efforts to consolidate a broader coalition and foster a more harmonious environment among the diverse parties within the government proved unsuccessful. This, in addition to the growing pressure on Latvia to advocate for a stronger stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, contributed to the mounting challenges faced by his administration.

New Candidate Up for Nomination

Latvia, along with its Baltic neighbors Lithuania and Estonia, has been at the forefront of urging the European Union and NATO to exert more significant pressure on Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The geopolitical situation and the heightened calls for action placed additional strain on the government’s internal dynamics. Karins’s New Unity party intends to nominate a new candidate for the position of Prime Minister, with the selection process set to take place on Wednesday. Following this, President Edgars Rinkevics will hold the responsibility of granting a mandate to the nominated candidate to attempt to form a new government. The selected individual will also be subject to a parliamentary vote of confidence.

As Latvia navigates this period of political transition, the country’s future direction and its ability to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, especially in relation to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, remain subjects of keen interest. The forthcoming changes in leadership and potential realignment of political forces will shape Latvia’s path forward as it prepares for its next scheduled parliamentary election in 2026.